He knew that the dominie was not interested in the art of reading beyond the point of correct pronunciation, and hence he hoped the class might get off easily.

The dominie took the book reluctantly.

What he desired was the "arith-MET-ic" class, and did not care to be "put off" with mere reading.
"Well, Ranald, let us hear you," he rather growled.

Ranald went at his work with quiet confidence; he knew all the words.
"Page 187, Marco Bozzaris.
"At midnight in his guarded tent, The Turk lay dreaming of the hour When Greece, her knee in suppliance bent, Should tremble at his power." And so on steadily to the end of his verse.
"Next!" The next was "Betsy Dan," the daughter of Dan Campbell, of "The Island." Now, Betsy Dan was very red in hair and face, very shy and very nervous, and always on the point of giggles.

It was a trial to her to read on ordinary days, but to-day it was almost more than she could bear.