"Yes, sir, but I thought général was an exception."
[ I ] pass over the wit who, being asked for the plural of égal, answered, "two gals."
A diverting little boy in the class-room is the one who always thinks "he has got it." It matters little to him what the question is, he has not heard the end of it when he lifts his hand to let you know he is ready.
"What is the future of savoir?"
"[Please], sir, I know: je savoirai."
"Sit down, you ignoramus."
And he resumes his seat to sulk until you give him another chance. He wonders how it is you don't like his answers. His manner is generally affable; you see at once in him a mother's pet who is much admired at home, and thinks he is not properly appreciated at school.
Mother's pets are to be recognized at a glance. They are always clean and tidy in face and person. Unfortunately they often part their hair in the middle.