The Slogger found his legs very slowly, and proceeded to go below Tom and two other boys with great disgust; and then, turning round and facing the master, said, “I haven't learnt any more, sir; our lesson is only forty lines.”
“Is that so?” said the master, appealing generally to the top bench. No answer.
“Who is the head boy of the form?” said he, waxing wroth.
“Arthur, sir,” answered three or four boys, indicating our friend.
“Oh, your name's Arthur. Well, now, what is the length of your regular lesson?”
Arthur hesitated a moment, and then said, “We call it only forty lines, sir.”
“How do you mean—you call it?”
“Well, sir, Mr. Graham says we ain't to stop there when there's time to construe more.”
“I understand,” said the master.—“Williams, go down three more places, and write me out the lesson in Greek and English. And now, Arthur, finish construing.”
“Oh! would I be in Arthur's shoes after fourth lesson?” said the little boys to one another; but Arthur finished Helen's speech without any further catastrophe, and the clock struck four, which ended third lesson.