“Better and better,” said the tutor sarcastically. “Now, will you kindly explain—no, no, don’t look at your figures— Will you kindly explain how you arrived at this sapient conclusion?”
Dexter hesitated, and shifted one foot over the other.
“Well, sir, I am waiting,” cried Mr Limpney, in a tone of voice which made Dexter think very much resembled that of Mr Sibery when he was angry.
“I—I—”
“Don’t hesitate, sir. Have I not told you again and again that a gentleman never hesitates, but speaks out at once? Now then, I ask you how you arrived at this wonderful conclusion?”
“I tried over and over again, sir, with the a’s and b’s, and then I thought I must guess it.”
“And did you guess it?”
“No, sir, I suddenly recollected what you said.”
“And pray, what did I say!”
“Why, sir, you always said let x represent the unknown quantity, and—and x stands for ten—ten o’clock.”