Piping the Praises

The next day, during the morning's science class, Mrs. Whimbrel was piping the praises of Polaris, "You know, the North Star," she beamed, tapping the globe alit with constellations.  P. Martin couldn't help noticing Skye Bunting's interest in the lesson.  Each time she turned the globe, so that all the students would have a better view, Skye would pivot his seat, never taking his eyes off the round celestial map (The Godgirls).

http://earthsky.org/brightest-stars/polaris-the-present-day-north-star

Skye's unwavering gaze perplexed P. Martin.  What could Mrs. Whimbrel possibly point out that he didn't already know?  But, there he sat, eyes glued to the globe, as if hypnotized.

P. Martin glanced around the room.  Everyone seemed hypnotized, for that matter -- hypnotized or bored.   Everyone, that is, except Jaeger and Kestrel who had pushed their chairs together and were boasting about how they, being the highest jumpers on the basketball team, could leap up, swipe Pole-air-is from the sky, land, and grab the ball before the referee blew the whistle.  

Couldn't she hear them?  Their constant clattering no different than crows?  Only yesterday, Mrs. Whimbrel had reminded him of Classroom Number 1, but, today, she let their noise breeze over her. 

But not Skye!  As if hit by a gust of wind, he spun around in his seat and belted out, "What?  You guys think you're Orion?"