“Timothy,” says the master, “tell me in whose reign the Reformation was introduced into England, will you?”
“James the First,” replies Timothy.
“Next boy?”
“Henry the Eighth.”
“Right; go up.”
“Oh, sir,” says Timothy, “that’s what I meant; I mistook the name for a moment!” And he goes down with the air of an injured and resigned boy.
In the geography class which follows Tim has another opportunity of displaying his learning.
“On what river does Berlin stand?” is the question.
Tim hums and haws. “On the—oh—the—the, on the—er—the—”
“Next boy?”