Mr. Umphrees

Mr. Umphrees is the elderly custodian at Bernard Walton's middle school and the one adult who takes Bernard's moral struggle seriously. Bullies demand that young Bernard withdraw a truthful jaywalking report, and other authorities leave him to face them alone. Umphrees tells him to keep his word and ask a higher power for strength. Bernard prays and refuses to surrender the report. When a bully shoves him in front of an approaching car, Umphrees races into the street, pushes the boy clear, and takes the impact himself. He survives, and his courage becomes a lesson Bernard remembers for life. Humble, wise, and self-sacrificing, Mr. Umphrees shows that encouraging another person to stand firm also means being willing to stand beside him.