Then he says aloud, “We now come to the next elementary rule—which is called——”
“Umtraction!” cries Jemmy.
“Right,” says the Major. “We have here a toasting fork, a potato in its natural state, two potlids, one egg-cup, a wooden spoon, and two skewers, from which it is necessary, for commercial purposes, to subtract a sprat gridiron, a small pickle jar, two lemons, one pepper castor, a black-beetle trap, and a knob of the dresser drawer—what remains?”
“Toatin fork!” cries Jemmy.
“In numbers, how many?” says the Major.
“One!” cries Jemmy.
(“Here’s a boy, Ma’am!” says the Major to me, behind his hand.)
“We now approach the next elementary rule—which is entitled——”
“Tickleication,” cries Jemmy.
“Correct,” says the Major.