But the multiplication table gave him serious trouble.

The only way he succeeded in learning it at all was by singing it.

After he began to do sums in multiplication on his slate, he was likely to burst forth singing in school hours: "Seven times eight are fifty-six -- and carry five.
Seven times nine are sixty-three -- and carry seven.
No, no, no, no, carry six!" "But, Mr.Lurvey, you must keep quiet in school!" the afflicted master remonstrated for the hundredth time.

"No one else can study." "But I can't!" old Zack would reply.

"'Twouldn't come to me 'less I sung it!" Toward the last weeks of the term he was able to multiply with considerable accuracy and to divide in short division.