The rule was correctly recited by each member of the class.
“That is very well,” said Mr. Slocum, blandly. “I will now explain the way in which the sums are done.”
Mr. Slocum went to the blackboard, and, keeping the book open, did the sum already done in the book, giving the explanation from the page before him.
“You see that there seems to be no difficulty,” he said, with an air of superior knowledge. “I have, however, detected an error in the fifth sum, about which one of the class consulted me during recess. The book is evidently{127} wrong, and I propose to write to the publishers, and acquaint them with the fact.”
Here Frank Bent raised his hand.
“What is wanted?” asked the teacher.
“Julius Taylor has done the sum, and gets the same answer as the book.”
“Julius, do I understand you to say that you got the same answer as the book?” demanded Mr. Slocum, rather discomposed. “I am afraid,” he added, severely, “you copied the answer out of the book.”
“No, I didn’t,” said Julius, bluntly.
“You may go to the board, and perform the problem, and explain it after you get through,” said the teacher.