Nobody said anything.
"Which of you," asked the professor of his assistants, "has two more papers than necessary."
No one answered. Prof. Babbitt looked very savage.
"I counted that bundle of papers just as soon as it came from the printers," he said, sharply, "and there was just the number called for. The printers never make a mistake, and I'm sure they haven't this time."
Still there was silence in the room.
"Gentlemen," said the professor, this time addressing the students, "see if any of you have an extra paper accidentally stuck to the one on your desk; there must be two spare papers here somewhere in the room."
Every student took up his paper, felt of it, shook it, but without result; the room was certainly two papers short, and two students sat, therefore, with nothing to do.
The professor frowned.
"I'm certain," he exclaimed, "that I made no miscount. Mr. Jackson," turning to one of the assistants, "count the students here."
Mr. Jackson counted and found that there were one hundred and forty-six.