"Oh, you must not chatter so much. Begin and say some tables."
"I know 'three times' skipping all about. But when you get good and used one way you have to fly around some other way. I can say 'four times' straight, but I have to think a little."
"Now begin," said Betty.
They seemed to run races, until Doris' cheeks were like roses and she was all out of breath. At last she accomplished the baleful four, skipping about.
"Mrs. Webb said I must learn four and five this week. And five is easy enough. Now, will you hear me do some sums in addition?"
She added aloud, and did quite well, Betty thought.
"When I can make nice figures and do sums that are worth while, I am to have a book to put them in, Mrs. Webb says. What is worth while, Betty?"
"Why it's—it's—a thing that is really worth doing well. I don't know everything," with a half-laughing sigh.
Betty had all her pieces ironed before the lessons were learned. Doris thought ironing was easier. It finished up of itself, and there was nothing to come after.
"Well—there is mending," suggested Betty.