One day we were reciting in Lowth's Grammar.

The Bishop says that in English the substantive singular is made plural for the most part by adding s.

Professor Channing called up this classmate of mine, who stated this as follows: "The author says that the distinction between nouns in the singular and plural is that the latter end in s." "Is that a good distinction ?" asked the Professor.

My neighbor answered with great confidence, "No, sir," as he was well warranted in doing from the form of the question.
"Can't you give us some instance of words in the singular number that end in s ?" said the Professor.

My friend, who was considerable embarrassed, stammered, was staggered, and hesitated a moment.