"You must study Greek, Ellis. We get it from two words in the Greek, or from one word made up of two others, which mean extreme, or beginning and order. In an acrostic the beginnings of the lines are arranged in order. Do you understand how we get that word now?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, now, you would all like to know what this talk is for. I want every boy in school who can write, to bring an acrostic on his own name for his next composition."
The boys groaned, and exclaimed, "They couldn't do it, they were sure; they couldn't begin to do it!"
"Yes, you can," said Mr. Burrows; "I don't give my scholars any work that they can't do. You may quote it, or make it original, as you please; but I want every one of you to try."
Johnny Thorpe, the smallest boy in school who could write, now seemed in trouble, and stretched up his arm to its full length.
"Well, Johnny, what will you have?" asked his teacher.
"If you please, sir, I don't know what you mean by quote."
Mr. Burrows laughed pleasantly.
"I must remember, I see, to speak plain English; I mean you may borrow your essay from a book, or a dozen books, if you like, so that you don't try to make us believe the thoughts are your own. You may write in poetry or not, as you please; but I want each to choose a subject, and stick to it better than Howard did just now. I have given you something to do that will keep you hard at work, but you will succeed at last."