“I am not sure that I have done it the right way, sir.”
Mr. Slocum scanned with a look of impressive wisdom the confused figures on the board, and said: “You are right in principle, but there is an error somewhere.”
“Would you be kind enough to point it out, sir?” asked Julius, demurely.
“Is there any one in the class who has obtained the correct answer to this sum?” asked the teacher, hoping to see a hand raised.
Not one of the class responded.
“You may all bring up your slates and do it at the{133} same time, while Julius does it again on the board,” he said.
Five minutes passed, and by agreement every one announced a wrong answer. The boys thought Mr. Slocum would now be forced to explain. But the pedagogue was too wise to attempt what he knew was impossible.
“I see,” said the teacher, “that these sums are too difficult for the class. I shall put you back at the beginning of fractions.”
This announcement was heard by most of the boys with dismay. Many of them could only attend school in the winter, and wanted to make as much progress as they could in the three months to which they were limited. Among the most disappointed was Julius. He saw that his practical joke on the teacher was likely to cost him dear, and he resolved to sacrifice it.
“I think I can do it now, sir,” he said. “I have just thought of the way.”