"It's quite straight—particularly so—and rather long."
"I say Forbes—it isn't—no it can't be a walking stick, of course," said Jack growing excited, and fervently hoping it was.
"No, but that's not a fair question, you must find out more about it."
"Is it a useful thing?"
"Decidedly."
"Not too useful I hope," said Jack, somewhat dejectedly.
"I don't know what you mean by too useful—nothing can be too useful."
"I mean it has nothing to do with lessons—a blotting book, or slate, or anything of that sort."
"Well yes, it is something of that sort, but I know you haven't got one, and really want one, I heard you ask Geoffrey for his only the other day."
"It's a ruler!" said Jack blankly.