I was torn between these dearest loves of mine.
"Seen me have any chance to beat her ?" retorted Laddie.
Miss Amelia seemed to have used most of her books, and at last picked up an old geography and began giving out points around the coast, while Laddie and the Princess took turns snatching the words from her mouth and spelling them.

Father often did that, so Laddie was safe there.
They were just going it when Miss Amelia pronounced, "Terra del Fuego," to the Princess.

"T-e-r-r-a, Terra, d-e-l, del, F-i-e-u-g-o," spelled the Princess, and sat down suddenly in the midst of a mighty groan from her side, swelled by a wail from one little home district deserter.
"Next!" called Miss Amelia.
"T-e-r-r-a, Terra, d-e-l, del, F-e-u-g-o," spelled Laddie.
"Wrong!" wailed Miss Amelia, and our side breathed one big groan in concert, and I lifted up my voice in that also.

Then every one laughed and pretended they didn't care, and the Princess came over and shook hands with Laddie, and Laddie said to Miss Amelia: "Just let me take that book a minute until I see how the thing really does go." It was well done and satisfied the crowd, which clapped and cheered; but as I had heard him spell it many, many times for father, he didn't fool me.
Laddie and the Princess drew slips for the book and it fell to her.

He was so pleased he kissed me as he lifted me down and never noticed I was so stiff I could scarcely stand--and I did fall twice going to the sleigh.