Certainly Not Asleep
A COUNTRY schoolmaster had two pupils, to one of whom he was partial,
and to the other severe. One morning it happened that these two boys
were late, and were called up to account for it. You must have heard
the bell, boys; why did you not come?--Please, sir, said the
favorite, I was dreaming that I was going to Margate, and I thought the
school-bell was the steamboat-bell.--Very well, said the master, glad
of any pretext to excuse his favorite. And now, sir, turning to the
other, what have you to say?--Please, sir, said the puzzled boy,
I--I--was waiting to see Tom off!