"Bring me your slate."

Ephraim reluctantly left his place, and went up to Mr. Burbank.

"What have we here?" said the teacher. "Why, you have got down the
625, and nothing else, except 45. Where did you get that answer?"

"I guessed at it," answered Ephraim, hard pressed for an answer,
and not liking to confess the truth--namely, that he had copied
from Harry Walton.

"So I supposed. The next time you'd better guess a little nearer
right, or else give up guessing altogether. Harry Walton, I see
your hand up. What is your answer?"

"Twenty-five, sir."

"That is right."

Ephraim looked up suddenly. He now saw the explanation of his
mistake.

"Will you explain how you did it? You may go to the blackboard,
and perform the operation once more, explaining as you go along,
for the benefit of Ephraim Higgins, and any others who guessed at
the answer. Ephraim, I want you to give particular attention, so
that you can do yourself more credit next time. Now Harry, proceed."

Our hero explained the sum in a plain, straightforward way, for he
thoroughly understood it.