TEACHER. First class in spelling, rise and take places. (A general scramble for places.)
FIRST PUPIL. Teacher, I’m head. I got above him yesterday.
SECOND PUPIL. He didn’t. I spelled catalepsy first and got above him. (Trying to pass.)
TEACHER. Thomas Henry, take the head; the other two may go to the foot. (Both go down and scramble for the foot.)
THIRD PUPIL. Thomas Henry pinched me.
TEACHER. He may go to the foot also.
THIRD PUPIL (dancing on one foot, holding the other in his hands ). Ow! he trod on my foot.
THOMAS HENRY. He shouldn’t have such big feet. I couldn’t stop to go round.
TEACHER. Thomas Henry, you may stop after school and I’ll remind you of a little promise I made a while ago. (ONE and TWO rejoice in dumb show over THOMAS HENRY’S downfall.) Julius, stand erect. Mary, take that gum out of your mouth. Bring that apple to me. All, toe the line. Attention!
COM. Neow, scholars, there is one thing I’m very pertickler ’bout, and that is pronouncé-ation. I want every one on ye tu be keerful on that one p’int. The fust word is charitable.