Hetty is especially tough on the students in preparation for the history bee against Markdale School in two weeks. Hetty in general has always intimidated most of the students, who now complain to their parents, who in turn complain to Janet. Janet feels that only one person can deal with Hetty: Alec. When the parents elect Alec to the School Board, his first act is to speak openly to Hetty about her teaching methods. Hetty, feeling unwanted, promptly quits. Alec and the School Board did not want Hetty to quit (especially after thirty dreadful replacement teacher interviews), nor did Hetty really want to give up her job. But before things can go back to the way they were, Alistair Dimple waltzes into Avonlea, applying for the job. He dazzles the School Board, who hires him. The School Board is however unaware that he is not a professor as he professes, but a failed Shakespearean stage actor. Dingle ends up treating history class as one big all-participating stage play. The students are having a good time but nonetheless are learning with a new found curiosity. Dingle even eventually wins Hetty over. But when Alec finds out Dingle's real pedigree, he has to decide what to do with the information regardless of Dingle's positive effect on the children.
—Huggo