Julius went to the board, and did what was required; writing down at the close the same answer given in the book.
“Now elucidate it,” said Mr. Slocum, who, like many superficial persons, thought that the use of long and uncommon words would impress others with an idea of his learning.
Julius had never heard the word before, but he supposed it must mean “explain,” and accordingly explained it—so well, that even Mr. Slocum understood the operation, and perceived that it was correct. It was rather an awkward situation, to admit that a pupil had succeeded where he had failed; but Mr. Slocum was equal to the emergency.{128}
“Ahem!” he admitted, “you are correct. I did the sum by a recondite process which is in use in the higher branches of mathematics, and I probably made a mistake in one of the figures, which led to a different result. The method in the book is a much more simple one, as I explained to you a short time ago. Frank Bent, you may take the next sum and do it on the board.”
It so happened that Frank, who was not very strong in arithmetic, made a mistake, and got a wrong answer.
“My answer doesn’t agree with the book,” he said.
Mr. Slocum looked at the operation; but, though his face wore an expression of profound wisdom, it was too complex for him. He was, however, thoroughly up in the science of sham.
“You have made a mistake,” he said, sagely. “Can any boy point it out?”
Julius raised his hand, greatly to the relief of the teacher.
“Julius, you may come up to the board, and point out the right method of performing the sum.”