GIRL. B-o-u-g-h spells buff, then, and p-l-o-u-g-h, pluff?
TEACHER. No, bough and plough are the words you have spelled.
GIRL. Then does d-o-u-g-h spell dow, or duff, or doff?
TEACHER. It spells neither; your last word is dough.
GIRL. Is r-o-u-g-h row, or row, or roff? [o as in mow, o as in how]
TEACHER. None of them. It is rough.
GIRL (in despair). Well, how can you tell?
SCHOLAR (near door). Teacher, I just seen the committee, Squire Small, coming down the hill past Squire Green’s barn. (Laughing.) He tried to jump the wall and tumbled over it. I guess his rheumatiz caught him.
TEACHER (hastily). This class may take their seats. (Rap at door.) All who are out of their seats may return to them. Remember what I said about disorder. Heads erect. Remember your manners. Maria Sophrony, the door. (Enter COMMITTEE-MAN; all rise.)
CHORUS (drawling). Good-morning—Mr. Committee-man!