A mother training her first-born to say 'papa,' could not do so with a softer voice, or more affectionate demeanour.
'The planet Jupiter,' said he to Mr.Precis; 'I have no doubt you know accurately the computed distance of that planet from the sun, and also that of our own planet.

Could you tell me now, how would you calculate the distance in inches, say from London Bridge to the nearest portion of Jupiter's disc, at twelve o'clock on the first of April ?' Mr.Jobbles, as he put his little question, smiled the sweetest of smiles, and spoke in a tone conciliating and gentle, as though he were asking Mr.Precis to dine with him and take part of a bottle of claret at half-past six.
But, nevertheless, Mr.Precis looked very blank.
'I am not asking the distance, you know,' said Mr.Jobbles, smiling sweeter than ever; 'I am only asking how you would compute it.' But still Mr.Precis looked exceedingly blank.
'Never mind,' said Mr.Jobbles, with all the encouragement which his voice could give, 'never mind.

Now, suppose that _a_ be a milestone; _b_ a turnpike-gate--,' and so on.
But Mr.Jobbles, in spite of his smiles, so awed the hearts of some of his candidates, that two of them retired at the end of the second day.

Poor Robinson, thinking, and not without sufficient ground, that he had not a ghost of a chance, determined to save himself from further annoyance; and then Norman, put utterly out of conceit with himself by what he deemed the insufficiency of his answers, did the same.

He had become low in spirits, unhappy in temperament, and self-diffident to a painful degree.