How does Willie feel about starting school?

Willie is apprehensive about returning to school. It is Willie’s first day of school. The school is crowded with children because of the new evacuees in town. Willie meets up with Zach, George, and the twins. Mrs. Hartridge is the teacher in charge of 8-11 year olds. She asks Zach and Willie if they can read and write; Willie is ashamed to admit that he cannot. Willie is placed in Mrs. Black’s class instead, which makes him feel humiliated.