“Very well,” said Mr. Slocum, much relieved; “you may do it.”
Our hero at once performed the sum correctly, obtaining the same answer as the book.
“I’ve got it,” he said.
“You may explain it to the class,” said the teacher.
Julius did so.
“That is the result of perseverance,” said Mr. Slocum, “I was always persevering. When I was connected with{134} a celebrated institution of learning in the State of Maine, the principal one day said to me: ‘Theophilus, I never knew a more persevering boy than you are. You never allow any difficulties to stand in your way. You persevere till you have conquered them.’ Once, at the end of the arithmetic—a more difficult one than this—there was a very hard example, which none of the other boys could do; but I sat up till one o’clock at night and did it. Such are the results of perseverance.”
“May we go on where we are?” asked Julius, “and not go back to the beginning of fractions?”
“Yes,” said Mr. Slocum, “since you have shown that you can persevere. I could easily have explained the sum to you at once; but what good would it have done you? You could not have done the next. Now that you have got it out yourself, I think I am justified in letting you advance.”
So Mr. Slocum triumphed; but not one of the class credited his statement. It was clear to all that he had been “stuck,” and did not dare attempt the sum for fear of failing.
“You had to back down, and do the sum after all, Julius,” said Frank Bent.