He Took the Clock, But Not the Hint.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 46

He Took the Clock, But Not the Hint.

A well-known professor, who shall be nameless, sometimes became so much interested in his lecture that when the noon-bell rang he kept the class five or ten minutes over the hour.

Certain restless spirits amongst the students thought they would give the professor a gentle hint, so they bought a small alarm clock, set it to go off precisely at noon, and placed it on the professor's desk when they came in to the next lecture. They knew that he was a little absent-

minded, and expected that he would not notice it.

As the noon hour struck, the alarm went off with a rattling crash, and those of the class not in the secret started and took in tho joke at once. There was a round of applause. The professor waited until the alarm and the applause were over, and then said, deliberately :

" Young gentlemen, I thank you for this little gift. I had forgotten that it was my birthday. Au alarm clock is something my wife has needed for our servant for some time. It is a very kind remembrance on your part." The professor then went on to finish a demonstration interrupted by the alarm.