"I think we will stop now," Miss Anne said gravely. "You must be a little sleepy, dear. We will leave the rest."
Ivy did not seem to mind. She played solemnly with her doll till Hecla was free, and behaved just as usual all day; so Miss Anne Storey hoped it was only a queer little fancy, which would soon be forgotten.
But she did not know Ivy yet!
Next morning, lessons took place as always, and the same page was begun upon anew. And every single time that Ivy came upon "c-a-t," she regularly called it "tac." She would say "cat" properly after Miss Anne; and as soon as the word recurred it was "tac" once more.
It really was too silly, wasn't it? I wonder if any little girl who reads this can tell me why Ivy chose to say this particular word wrong all through?
Miss Anne put the book down.
"Ivy, I'm afraid this is naughtiness," she said gravely.
Ivy held up her head straight, and pursed her lips together.
"What makes you behave so? Why do you not try to read better, dear?"
No answer came. Ivy said not a word.