studying let me know."

Oscar took the position pointed out to him, with his back towards the
boys, and with his face so near the blackboard, that he could see
nothing else without turning his head--an operation that would be sure
to attract the attention of the master. At first he thought it would
be good fun to stand there, and for awhile the novelty of the thing did
amuse him a little. When he began to grow weary, he contrived to
interest himself by tracing out the faint chalk-marks of long-forgotten
problems, that had not been entirely obliterated from the blackboard.
This afforded employment for his mind for a time; but by-and-bye he
began to grow tired and uneasy. His eyes longed to see something else,
and his legs were weary of standing so long in one position. He
wondered, too, whether the boys were looking at him, and whether they
smiled at his strange employment. At last, after doing penance about
an hour, his exhaustion got the better of his stubbornness, and on
informing the master that he thought ho could study now, he was
permitted to take his seat.

After returning to his desk, Oscar had but little time to finish
learning his geography lesson, before the class was called out to
recite. As was too often the case, he was but half prepared. The
subject of the lesson was New York State. Several of the questions put
to Oscar were answered wrong, either wholly or in part. When asked
what great lakes bordered on New York, he replied:

"Lake Erie and Lake Superior."

When the question was given to another, and correctly answered, Oscar
exclaimed: