Mr. Ogilvy, who had been hiding his admiration with difficulty, spread a net for him.  “You said you wanted a word that meant middling full.  Well, why did you not say middling full—­or fell mask?”

    “Yes, why not?” demanded the ministers, unconsciously caught in
    the net.

    “I wanted one word,” replied Tommy, unconsciously avoiding it.

    “You jewel!” muttered Mr. Ogilvy under his breath, but Mr.
    Cathro would have banged the boy’s head had not the ministers
    interfered.

    “It is so easy, too, to find the right word,” said Mr. Gloag.

    “It’s no; it’s difficult as to hit a squirrel,” cried Tommy, and
    again Mr. Ogilvy nodded approval.

* * * * *

And then an odd thing happened.  As they were preparing to leave the school [Cathro having previously run Tommy out by the neck], the door opened a little and there appeared in the aperture the face of Tommy, tear-stained but excited.  “I ken the word now,” he cried, “it came to me a’ at once; it is hantle!”

    Mr. Ogilvy ... said in an ecstasy to himself, “He had to think
    of it till he got it—­and he got it.  The laddie is a genius!”

QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES

1.  What is the derivation of the word vocabulary?

2.  Briefly discuss any complete speech given in this volume, with reference to (a) exactness, (b) variety, and (c) charm, in the use of words.

3.  Give original examples of the kinds of word-studies referred to on pages 337 and 338.

4.  Deliver a short talk on any subject, using at least five words which have not been previously in your “dynamic” vocabulary.

5.  Make a list of the unfamiliar words found in any address you may select.

6.  Deliver a short extemporaneous speech giving your opinions on the merits and demerits of the use of unusual words in public speaking.

7.  Try to find an example of the over-use of unusual words in a speech.

8.  Have you used reference books in word studies?  If so, state with what result.

9.  Find as many synonyms and antonyms as possible for each of the following words:  Excess, Rare, Severe, Beautiful, Clear, Happy, Difference, Care, Skillful, Involve, Enmity, Profit, Absurd, Evident, Faint, Friendly, Harmony, Hatred, Honest, Inherent.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 32:  How to Attract and Hold an Audience, J. Berg Esenwein.]

[Footnote 33:  A book of synonyms and antonyms is in preparation for this series, “The Writer’s Library.”]

[Footnote 34:  Composition and Rhetoric, J.M.  Hart.]

CHAPTER XXVIII

MEMORY TRAINING