Jacker, I intend to leave you standing here for a few moments to cool.

You may have noticed, boys, that the youthful form when over-heated or possessed with unusual excitement has not that poignant susceptibility which might be thought necessary to the adequate appreciation of a judicious lambasting.

Has that ever occurred to you, McKnight ?' Jacker shifted his feet uneasily, rolled his body, and, knowing that nothing could aggravate his offence, answered sullenly: 'Oh, dry up!' Mr.Ham grinned at the boy in silence for a few moments, and then returned to his high stool and desk.

Mr.Ham never made the slightest effort to maintain before his scholars that dignity which is supposed to be essential to the success of a pedagogue.

In addressing the boys he used their correct names, or the nicknames liberally bestowed upon them by their mates, indiscriminately, and showed no resentment whatever when he heard himself alluded to as Jo, or Hamlet, or the Beetle, his most frequent appellations in the playground.