You couldn't do that, could you ?" "No," admitted Esther, with a painful feeling of inferiority.

"I remember all I've ever read." "Ah, you will grow up a clever woman!" said Debby, patting her hair.
"Oh, do you think so ?" said Esther, her dark eyes lighting up with pleasure.
"Oh yes, you're always first in your class, ain't you ?" "Is that what you judge by, Debby ?" said Esther, disappointed.

"The other girls are so stupid and take no thought for anything but their hats and their frocks.

They would rather play gobs or shuttlecock or hopscotch than read about the 'Forty Thieves.' They don't mind being kept a whole year in one class but I--oh, I feel so mad at getting on so slow.

I could easily learn the standard work in three months.