"1. 'The extremities of a line are points.' Prove this by the rule of railways. "2. Show the fallacy of defining an angle, as 'a worm at one end and a fool at the other.' "3. If one side of a triangle be produced, what is there to prevent the other two sides from also being brought forward? "4. Let A and B be squares having their respective boundaries in E and W ends, and let C and D be circles moving in them; the circle D will be superior to the circle C. "5. In equal circles, equal figures from various squares will stand upon the same footing. "6. If two parts of a circle fall out, the one part will cut the other. "7. Describe a square which shall be larger than Belgrave Square. "8. If the gnomon of a sun-dial be divided into two equal, and also into two unequal parts, what would be its value? "9. Describe a perpendicular triangle having the squares of the semi-circle equal to half the extremity between the points of section. "10. If an Austrian florin is worth 5.61 francs, what will be the value of Pennsylvanian bonds? Prove by rule-of-three inverse. "11. If seven horses eat twenty-five acres of grass in three days, what will be their condition on the fourth day? Prove by practice. "12. If a coach-wheel, 6 5/30 in diameter and 5 9/47 in circumference, makes 240 4/19 revolutions in a second, how many men will it take to do the same piece of work in ten days? "13. Find the greatest common measure of a quart bottle of Oxford port. "14. Find the value of a 'bob,' a 'tanner,' 'a joey,' and a 'tizzy.' "15. Explain the common denominators 'brick,' 'trump,' 'spoon,' 'muff,' and state what was the greatest common denominator in the last term. "16. Reduce two academical years to their lowest terms. "17. Reduce a Christ Church tuft to the level of a Teddy Hall man. "18. If a freshman ~A~ have any mouth ~x~, and a bottle of wine ~y~, show how many applications of ~x~ to ~y~ will place ~y~+~y~ before ~A~." Mr. Pucker did not know what to make of such extraordinary and unexpected questions. He blushed, attempted to write, fingered his curls, tried to collect his faculties, and then appeared to give himself over to despair; whereupon little Mr. Bouncer was seized with an immoderate fit of coughing which had well nigh brought the farce to its ~denouement~. [132 ADVENTURES OF MR. VERDANT GREEN] "I'm afraid, young gentleman," said Mr. Four-in-hand Fosbrooke, as he carelessly settled his white tie and bands, "I am afraid, Mr. Pucker, that your learning is not yet up to the Brazenface standard. We are particularly cautious about admitting any gentleman whose acquirements are not of the highest order. But we will be as lenient to you as we are able, and give you one more chance to retrieve yourself. We will try a little ~viva voce~, Mr. Pucker. Perhaps, sir, you will favour me with your opinions on the Fourth Punic War, and will also give me a slight sketch of the constitution of ancient Heliopolis."