"Pronounce it, sir."
"Alfeus."
The scholars laughed heartily, and the teacher joined them, and for three minutes the school-room fairly rung with shouts.
"Now spell Coombs," said the teacher.
"K-double o-m-s, kooms."
Again there was a roar of laughter in the room, which the teacher did not wish to suppress.
"Spell knife now; you are so brilliant that the scholars would like to hear more."
"N-i-f-e."
The scholars laughed again in good earnest, and the teacher added, "That is not the way to spell a very sharp knife."
"Spell bargain."