He saw in their countenances the double meaning of the unlucky word he had uttered, and stammered, and thumped the table with his fist.

"Why, I say, are rulers----" "Rulers," says George, looking at Harry.
"Rulers!" says Hal, putting his hand to his eye, where the poor tutor still bore marks of the late scuffle.

Rulers, o-ho! It was too much.

The boys burst out in an explosion of laughter.

Mrs.Mountain, who was full of fun, could not help joining in the chorus; and little Fanny, who had always behaved very demurely and silently at these ceremonies, crowed again, and clapped her little hands at the others laughing, not in the least knowing the reason why.
This could not be borne.