I am sorry that it is so, for you might easily stand at the head of the school, if you would try." Oscar _had_ received such advice before, but, as his teacher intimated, he had not profited much by it.

If anything, he had grown more indolent and negligent, within a few months.

On going home that night, Ralph accosted him with the inquiry: "What did you think of the blackboard, Oscar?
Do you suppose you should know it again, if you should happen to see it ?" "What do you mean ?" he inquired, feigning ignorance.
"O, you 've forgotten it a'ready, have you ?" continued Ralph.

"You don't remember seeing anything of a blackboard this afternoon, do you ?" "But who told you about it ?" inquired Oscar; for though both attended the same school, their places were in different rooms.
"O, I know what's going on," said Ralph; "you need n't try to be so secret about it." "Well, I know who told you about it--'t was Bill Davenport, was n't it ?" inquired Oscar.
Willie and Ralph were such great cronies, that Oscar's supposition was a very natural one.

Indeed, Ralph could not deny it without telling a falsehood, and so he made no reply.