It's what children always have to learn, you know," said Miss Ophelia.
"Understand it or not," said St.Clare.
"O, children never understand it at the time; but, after they are grown up, it'll come to them." "Mine hasn't come to me yet," said St.Clare, "though I'll bear testimony that you put it into me pretty thoroughly when I was a boy."' "Ah, you were always good at learning, Augustine.

I used to have great hopes of you," said Miss Ophelia.
"Well, haven't you now ?" said St.Clare.
"I wish you were as good as you were when you were a boy, Augustine." "So do I, that's a fact, Cousin," said St.Clare.

"Well, go ahead and catechize Topsy; may be you'll make out something yet." Topsy, who had stood like a black statue during this discussion, with hands decently folded, now, at a signal from Miss Ophelia, went on: "Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the state wherein they were created." Topsy's eyes twinkled, and she looked inquiringly.
"What is it, Topsy ?" said Miss Ophelia.
"Please, Missis, was dat ar state Kintuck ?" "What state, Topsy ?" "Dat state dey fell out of.

I used to hear Mas'r tell how we came down from Kintuck." St.Clare laughed.
"You'll have to give her a meaning, or she'll make one," said he.

"There seems to be a theory of emigration suggested there." "O! Augustine, be still," said Miss Ophelia; "how can I do anything, if you will be laughing ?" "Well, I won't disturb the exercises again, on my honor;" and St.Clare took his paper into the parlor, and sat down, till Topsy had finished her recitations.