We all, even to
the teacher, had our fears lest Ned (who had not yet entirely
discontinued the practice) should give some of his comical answers when
questioned by our visitors; but the day came, and with it the
school-trustees and a number of other friends. The classes were first
examined in reading and spelling; and Ned acquitted himself much better
than we had dared to hope; and we began to think he might pass the
afternoon without making any serious blunder. After the reading and
spelling lessons, the class was summoned for examination in Geography.
Elated by his success in reading and spelling, Ned took his place with a
pompous consequential manner, as if expecting to win countless laurels
for his proficiency. He got along very well till some one put the
question, "What may the Island of Australia properly be called on
account of its vast size?" "One of the Pyramids," answered Ned in a loud
confident voice. The gentleman who was questioning us looked astounded,
and there fell an awkward silence, which was only broken by the
half-smothered laughter of the others in the class. The teacher wishing
to get over the matter in some way, at length said, "I am surprised,
Edward, that you should give so senseless an answer to so simple a
question.
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