While Mr. Henry got up to look for a test paper, Richie and the Math Teacher sat facing each other.
The Math Teacher's eyes gleamed maliciously, his entire face radiating a baffling confidence.
Richie was perfectly polite. He hopped off his stool, smiling sweetly like a little angel:
"Sir, I was wrong to sleep in class, but I really didn't cheat. Why don't I explain how to solve those two problems from class while we're here?"
Before the Math Teacher could say anything to stop him, Richie began explaining loudly:
"For y=5x+3, when y=23, x=4. Substitute y=23 into the original function to get the equation 5x+3=23. Move the terms and combine like terms: 5x=20. Solve the equation to get x=4.
For the second problem, given that y=ax²+8x+6 passes through the point (2,30), find a. Substitute the point (2,30) into y=ax²+8x+6 to get 2²a+8*2+6=30. Move the terms and combine like terms: 4a=8. Solve the equation to get a=2."
The Math Teacher sneered, listening impassively as Richie finished explaining his solutions:
"So what if you can explain the exact steps for solving these problems? That doesn't prove you didn't cheat in class. You could easily have asked your classmates during the break. Hmph!"
In fact, Richie hadn't explained his solutions for the Math Teacher's benefit. He had done it for his homeroom teacher.
Henry was sorting through a pile of test papers two or three meters from the coffee table. Hearing Richie's explanation eased his anger considerably.
He didn't want to believe Richie was a little delinquent who slept in class, talked back to teachers, and knew nothing.
After all, Twilight was so outstanding. His son ought to be like him.
Not long after Richie finished speaking, Henry brought him a test paper to complete.
Henry didn't want to make things too