must add that Peter said "that's _gay_!"

There was no time to talk now, however, for it was full nine o'clock; so
the boys, hanging up their hats in the hall, entered the school room,
and prayers over, the lessons began.

But who could be very attentive to his _ante_-cedents, or
_uncle_-cedents either, when, in three days, the _se_-cedents were to be
utterly routed by the Dashahed Zouaves? The boys were so full of chuckle
and bounce, that, I'm afraid, poor Dr. Larned would have become cracked
and crazy, if he hadn't reflected that the holidays and Fourth of July,
or, as Peter called it, "the Fourth of Ju-New Year's" were coming, and
that probably the state of things was owing to those important facts.

The recitations on that memorable Friday, however, were something
wonderful, sure enough. For instance, the lesson in geography was about
China. The doctor asked a boy, "Where is Shanghai situated?" and he
replied, "On Long Island, about two miles from Astoria landing!--that
is," and there he stopped, looking as awkward and silly as a Shanghai
chicken.

"Won't do, sir," said the doctor, in a grave tone, "you must study the
lesson over again, and go down one;" and down he had to go, feeling
rather flat.

Then the doctor asked Freddy what the principal manufactures were, and
he answered, "Tea, porcelain, silk, and Zouave drill--no, no, the other
kind of drill! dear me, what do I mean?"

"I cannot imagine," returned Doctor Larned, in a severe tone, but with a
little bit of a smile hiding in the corner of his mouth. "You appear to
be thinking of anything but your lessons, young gentlemen--but as it is
the last day of school, I excuse you. We will have recess earlier than
usual, and see if we cannot do better afterward."

So saying, he opened the door leading from the school room to his
private study, and went in; while the boys, luncheon in hand, ran to the
playground.

"The playground," as it was called, was the large yard attached to the
house, which had been fitted up with a few simple gymnastic
contrivances, and formed a capital place where the boys might amuse
themselves in fine weather. Down they sat, and for a few moments were so
busy trying who could take the biggest semicircular bite out of a slice
of bread and butter that nobody spoke a word. At last Freddy commenced,
by calling out,

"I say, fellows!"

"Silence in the guard tent! the Colonel's going to speak!" cried Peter,
making a new version of th