One boy will want to know how to parse a word, another where the lesson is, another to have a sum explained, and a fourth will wish to show his work to see if it is right.

The teacher does not like to discourage such inquiries.

Each one, as it comes up, seems necessary; each one, too, is answered in a moment; but the endless number and the continual repetition of them consume his time and exhaust his patience.
There is another view of the subject which ought to be taken.

Perhaps it would not be far from the truth to estimate the average number of scholars in the schools in our country at fifty.

At any rate, this will be near enough for our present purpose.