Stuart's Rules for the World

Stuart is the new Chairman of the World.
He wants to establish rules to prevent chaos.
Participants suggest laws:
- Don't eat mushrooms (Albert Fernstrom)
- No stealing (John Poldowski)
- Never poison anything but rats (Anthony Brendisi)
- No fighting, no being mean (Agnes Beretska, Mildred Hoffenstein)
Stuart decides to test the 'no being mean' rule.
Harry Jamieson is instructed to be mean to Katharine Stableford.
Harry takes her pillow, breaking the 'no being mean' and 'no stealing' rules.
Stuart, as Chairman, restores the pillow to Katharine, emphasizing the importance of the rule.

Stuart is fascinated by Katharine’s balsam-stuffed pillow.
The pillow reminds him of summer, which he finds significant.
He tries to buy the pillow from Katharine, emphasizing the importance of summer.
Elizabeth and Marilyn add their interpretations of summertime.
Stuart emphasizes the importance of cherishing summertime memories.

Stuart, the substitute teacher, stresses the importance of rules in the world, comparing them to laws for a game.

Albert suggests not eating mushrooms, but Stuart highlights that it is advice, not a law.
John proposes "Nix on swiping anything," which Stuart approves as a good law.
Anthony suggests never poisoning anything but rats, but Stuart argues that it is unfair to rats.
Agnes proposes a law against fighting, but Stuart finds it impractical.
Mildred suggests "Absolutely no being mean," which Stuart labels as a good law and tries to implement.

Stuart asks Harry to be mean to Katharine by taking her pillow.
Harry takes the pillow, breaking the law against being mean and the law against swiping.
Stuart uses the yardstick to "arrest" Harry and get the pillow back.
Katharine is happy to have her pillow back, suggesting the law against meanness might work.

Stuart is fascinated by Katharine's sweet-smelling pillow, wishing it were his.
Katharine reveals it was a gift from a boy she met at Lake Hopatcong last summer.
Stuart admires the summer memories the pillow evokes, emphasizing its significance.
Elizabeth and Marilyn offer their own interpretations of summertime, showing its enduring importance.

Stuart bids the children farewell, wishing them a nice summer.
The children express their wish for a substitute teacher every day instead of their regular teacher, Miss Gunderson.

Stuart becomes the Chairman of the World in the classroom.
Stuart enforces laws to maintain order among the children.
Children suggest laws including: don’t eat mushrooms, nix on swiping anything, never poison anything but rats, no scrapping, absolutely no being mean.
Stuart emphasizes the importance of fairness and considering all perspectives, even those of rats.
The law against being mean is tested with Harry, who is instructed to be mean to Katherine by taking her pillow.
Harry is punished for breaking the law by being forced to return the pillow.
Stuart emphasizes the importance of summer memories, comparing them to a shaft of sunlight, a musical note, and the scent of a baby's neck.
Stuart leaves the classroom, leaving the children with a positive impression of his leadership and a longing for substitute teachers.

The importance of Ice Cream.
Stuart emphasizes that laws are different from advice and need to be fair.
The first law proposed is against stealing, another law against poisoning anything but rats.
There are concerns that poisoning rats is also unfair to the rats as the Chairman has to consider all sides.
Another suggested law is to avoid fighting, followed by another law against "being mean".
To test the law "Absolutely no being mean", Harry is told to be mean to Katharine.
Harry steals Katharine's pillow and breaks two laws: "Absolutely no being mean" and "Nix on swiping anything".
Stuart retrieves the stolen pillow from Harry, after a playful chase among the children.
The children were happy to have a substitute teacher, instead of Miss Gunderson.

Katharine's pillow is made of sweet balsam with the inscription "For you I pine, for you I balsam".
Stuart becomes curious about the pillow and desires to own it.
Katharine reveals the pillow was a present to her.
Stuart questions her about the significance of the pillow, assuming it was a gift from a boy she met at the lake.
Katharine blushes and confirms the assumption.
Stuart reflects on the importance of summertime.

Stuart emphasizes the importance of summer time, comparing it to a shaft of sunlight.
The children were happy to have Stuart as a substitute teacher.
This suggests the children enjoyed Stuart's presence and approach to their classroom experience.