"You jewel!" muttered Mr. Ogilvy under his breath, but Mr. Cathro would have

banged the boy's head had not the ministers interfered.

 

"It is so easy, too, to find the right word," said Mr. Gloag.

 

"It's no; it's difficult as to hit a squirrel," cried Tommy, and again Mr.

Ogilvy nodded approval.

 

* * * * *

 

And then an odd thing happened. As they were preparing to leave the school

[Cathro having previously run Tommy out by the neck], the door opened a little

and there appeared in the aperture the face of Tommy, tear-stained but excited.

"I ken the word now," he cried, "it came to me a' at once; it is hantle!"

 

Mr. Ogilvy ... said in an ecstasy to himself, "He _had_ to think of it till he

got it--and he got it. The laddie is a genius!"

 

QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES

 

1. What is the derivation of the word _vocabulary_?

 

2. Briefly discuss any complete speech given in this volume, with reference to

(_a_) exactness, (_b_) variety, and (_c_) charm, in the use of words.