The room was very silent.

With Mr.
Simkins the storm was always in proportion to the calm, and the present calm was indeed portentous.

The instructor fought for a moment with his emotions.

Then he sighed.
"Well, until we have permission to discard recitations, I presume we must go on with them, such as they are." His gaze roved sympathetically over the class, most of whom showed a strong desire to escape his attention.

Finally, "Edwards," he said softly and, as it seemed to Steve, maliciously, "let us proceed with the dull and untimely lesson.
Kindly translate the tiresome utterances of this ignorant man who preferred wisdom and eloquence to athletics and football, Edwards.