A Slip Under the Microscope by H. G. Wells. Short summary

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The poor student had inadvertently moved the drug, which gave him the opportunity to recognize the sample. He confessed to the transgression and was expelled. But his rival, upon learning of the «cheating,» was ashamed.

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William Hill was the son of a cobbler and studied on a scholarship. He chewed the granite of science diligently, cramming at night. Nevertheless, his youth took its toll and he fell in love with a fellow student. She was from a higher social class.

In the first round of examinations, Hill was second best behind Wadderburn, the son of a famous ophthalmologist. He surpassed poor Hill in graceful manners, the ability to throw around fancy phrases and a handsome suit. The shoemaker’s son decided to defeat his rival in the second round of examinations.

The task was to recognize a preparation under a microscope without moving the glass. Hill inadvertently moved it and immediately learned that he was facing a subspecies of elderberry. After some soul-searching, he wrote down the correct answer. But then, when the exam results were announced, he confessed to his professor.

He expelled Hill. When the students found out about the «cheating,» Wedderborn’s ears lit up and he became nervous. And the student said she didn’t believe Hill was capable of such a thing.