Part 53 (1/2)
”I believe it's sheer obstinacy. You do not want to do these equations--simple equations too, mind you! Now then, about the stage-coaches. When did they meet, and in what time from starting? Now then--there are your figures, where did they meet? Look and tell me.”
Dexter took the half-sheet of paper, stared at it very doubtfully, and then looked up.
”Well!” said Mr Limpney. ”Where did they meet?”
”Peterborough, sir.”
”Where!” cried Mr Limpney in astonishment.
”Peterborough, sir.”
”Now, will you have the goodness to tell me how you found out that?”
”On the map, sir.”
”Bless my soul!” exclaimed the tutor. ”Well, go on. At what time from starting!”
”About ten o'clock, sir.”
”Better and better,” said the tutor sarcastically. ”Now, will you kindly explain--no, no, don't look at your figures--Will you kindly explain how you arrived at this sapient conclusion?”
Dexter hesitated, and s.h.i.+fted one foot over the other.
”Well, sir, I am waiting,” cried Mr Limpney, in a tone of voice which made Dexter think very much resembled that of Mr Sibery when he was angry.
”I--I--”
”Don't hesitate, sir. Have I not told you again and again that a gentleman never hesitates, but speaks out at once? Now then, I ask you how you arrived at this wonderful conclusion?”
”I tried over and over again, sir, with the _a's_ and _b's_, and then I thought I must guess it.”
”And did you guess it?”
”No, sir, I suddenly recollected what you said.”
”And pray, what did I say!”
”Why, sir, you always said let _x_ represent the unknown quant.i.ty, and-- and _x_ stands for ten--ten o'clock.”
Mr Limpney s.n.a.t.c.hed the paper from the boy's hand, and was about to tear it up, when the door opened and Dr Grayson entered.
”Well,” he said pleasantly, ”and how are we getting on?”
”Getting on, sir?” said Mr Limpney tartly. ”Will you have the goodness to ask my pupil!”
”To be sure--to be sure,” said the doctor. ”Well, Dexter, how are you getting on? Eh? what's this? Oh, Algebra!” he continued, as he took the half-sheet of paper covered with the boy's calligraphy. ”Oh, Algebra! Hah! I never was much of a fist at that.”
”Only simple equations, sir,” said the tutor.
”Ah, yes. Simple equations. Well, Dexter, how are you getting on?”
”Very badly, sir.”