The mathematical figure he made was a cone revolving on its apex.

Gavin's reinstalment in the chair year after year was made by the disappointed dominie the subject of some tart verses which he called an epode, but Gavin crushed him when they were read before the club.

"Satire," he said, "is a legitimate weapon, used with michty effect by Swift, Sammy Butler, and others, and I dount object to being made the subject of creeticism.

It has often been called a t'nife (knife), but them as is not used to t'nives cuts their hands, and ye'll a' observe that Mr.McRittie's fingers is bleedin'." All eyes were turned upon the dominie's hand, and though he pocketed it smartly several members had seen the blood.

The dominie was a rare visitor at the club after that, though he outlived poor Mr.Dickie by many years.
Mr.Dickie was a teacher in Tilliedrum, but he was ruined by drink.