"What is it, then, that you have been spitting upon the floor?" inquired the teacher.
"I have n't spit upon the floor," replied Oscar.
"Who did that?" continued the teacher, pointing to the puddle upon the floor.
"I don't know," said Oscar; "it was there when I took my seat."
It was possible that Oscar told the truth, but the teacher had his doubts. He might perhaps, have settled the matter at once by putting a question to one or two of the boys who sat near the supposed offender but as he always avoided the system of making one boy inform against another, when he could properly do so, he took another course. He told Oscar, if he had any tobacco in his mouth, or anywhere about his person, to give it up to him. Oscar declared that he had none.
"Let me look into your mouth," said the teacher.
Oscar had a small piece of the weed in his mouth, which he tucked behind his upper lip with his tongue, and then opened his mouth. The teacher of course saw nothing but what belonged there. He smelt something, however, that left him no longer in doubt that Oscar had told a falsehood.
"I can't see your cud, but I can smell it plain enough," said the master; "and I 'll examine your pockets, if you please."
Oscar was far from pleased with this proposition, and tried to prevent its being carried into effect. The master, however, easily overcame the difficulties he put in the way, and running his hand into the pocket which he seemed most anxious to defend, brought forth a piece of tobacco large enough to kill a horse!
"What is that?" he inquired, holding the contraband article before Oscar.