Dooley seemed startled when Ms. Stella looked straight at him and announced so the whole class could hear that he had been proficient in math during the last few weeks. 
“It twern't me Ms. Stella,” he protested.  “I ain't never been proficient in nothing in my whole life,” he pleaded. 
“It was Jackie Thrasher that done it, right here  in front of the whole class he insisted as he glanced over at me to see if I would back him up in his claim.
That just didn't seem like something I wanted to get too involved in, not knowing for sure what it was he was  being charged with, but believing he was probably guilty, knowing Dooley like I did.  
I made an effort to deflect attention away from myself by affirming, “He did it all right, Ms. Stella, I sat right here and watched him.”
Jackie Thrasher chimed right in affirming what I said to be true. 
“I don't even have time to do math,” Dooley pleaded.  “I was busy all that day doing my arithmetic lessons.  
I thought I could see a trace of a smile on her face as she called Dooley to the front of the class. 
He's going to get it today I thought, wondering what it was he had done, anyway.   Much to our surprise, she rewarded Dooley with a bright red sucker for his hard work. 
As quick as a wink Jackie Thrasher and three other boys jumped up and confessed to being proficient also.
Our God is a good and just God.  He blesses us even when we don't deserve it. Praise His Holy Name.