The equinoctial storm—An argument postponed—Distribution of work—An afternoon of leisure—Nothing to do—Andrew Airpump and his comrades—An unceremonious check—Alliteration—Univocalic verses—Task verses—Thread-paper poetry—How to write it—A specimen—Cento verses—Pith-tumblers—The Grand Mufti—The sleepy Brahmin—Balancing a coin on a needle—The trick explained—Ronald’s experiment—The Moslem oracle—Its five responses—Kate’s cento poem—How she found the lines—Contents of the Wreath—Arithmetical puzzles and answers, 169 CHAPTER X. ALL FOOLS’ DAY. The boys’ chamber—Early and late rising—Ronald’s trick—Otis enjoys a long nap—The clean plate—Suspicions allayed—More tricks—Imaginary chalk—The railroad whistle—Easter—Easter eggs—Trial of strength—Another trial—The soft egg—The pitched seat—Otis missed at school—Inquiries—Aunt Fanny’s discovery—Vexation—Otis at school—Interview with Ronald—A talk about April-fooling—Difference of opinion—A court proposed—A family custom—How the court managed business—The trial—The prosecuting Attorney’s speech—The complaint—The plea of “not guilty”—The first witness—Amusing cross-examination—Other witnesses—The prisoner’s speech—A question arises—The judge’s decision—The prisoner’s admission—His argument and appeal—The prosecuting attorney’s closing plea—An interruption—Can you tell a lie to a hen?—Conclusion of the argument—The charge—The verdict—The sentence—Its execution, 185 CHAPTER XI. SCHOLARS. Good spelling—A spelling match—Choosing sides—Evils attending spelling matches—An incident—Jessie blamed for an act of kindness—Another incident—The last of choosing sides—Jessie’s rank in school—Disadvantages—Secret of her success—Good and poor memories—Abby’s memory—Lord Adolphus D’Orsay—The list of irregular verbs—Saying over lessons before sleep—A contrast—The good and the poor scholar—Concentrating the mind—Luther’s testimony—Anecdote of St. Bernard—Power of early culture and discipline—Why Jessie and Abby associated—Novel reading—Its effects on Abby—Objections to it—Jessie proof against the temptation, 209 CHAPTER XII. A FEW BUSINESS MATTERS.