Realizing the extreme necessity of the moment, he pitched his voice several tones higher than ever before in his life inside a house and before people, and made his final attempt.
"An-hour-passed-on: the-Turk-awoke: That-bright-dream-WAS-his-last." And now, feeling that the crisis was upon him, and confusing speed with intensity, and sound with passion, he rushed his words, with ever-increasing speed, into a wild yell.
"He-woke-to-hear-his-sentries-shriek-to-arms-they come-the-Greek-THE-GREEK!" There was a moment of startled stillness, then, "tchik! tchik!" It was Jimmie again, holding his nose and swaying in a vain effort to control a paroxysm of snickers at Thomas' unusual outburst.
It was like a match to powder.

Again the whole school burst into a roar of uncontrollable laughter.

Even the minister, the master, and the dominie, could not resist.

The only faces unmoved were those of Thomas Finch and the minister's wife.

He had tried his best, and it was to please her, and she knew it.
A swift, shamed glance round, and his eyes rested on her face.