What that meant, Daisy was somewhat at a loss.
"Do you know your letters ?" Hephzibah nodded.
"What is that letter ?" Daisy had not forgotten to bring a reading book, and now put Hephzibah through the alphabet, which she seemed to know perfectly, calling each letter by its right name.

Daisy then asked if she could read words; and getting an assenting nod again, she tried her in that.

But here Hephzibah's education was defective; she could read indeed, after a fashion; but it was a slow and stumbling fashion; and Daisy and she were a good while getting through a page.

Daisy shut the book up.
"Now Hephzibah," said she, "do you know anything about what is in the Bible ?" Hephzibah shook her head in a manner the reverse of encouraging.
"Did you never read the Bible, nor have any one read it to you ?" Another shake.
Daisy thereupon began to tell her little neighbour the grand story which concerned them both so nearly, making it as clear and simple as she could.

Hephzibah's eyes were fixed on her intently all the while; and Daisy, greatly interested herself, wondered if any of the interest had reached Hephzibah's heart, and made the gaze of her eyes so unwavering.
They expressed nothing.