"I can't; I wasn't there."
"You should have gone," reprimanded King, severely. "Didn't you read the newspaper accounts of it?"
"Yes, but I didn't believe them."
"Jack Bryant, can you describe this famous battle?"
"Yes, sir. It was fought under the shadow of the Bunker Hill Monument. At sundown the shadow ceased, so they all said, 'Disperse ye rebels, and lay down your arms!' So they laid down their arms and went to sleep."
"Very well done, Master Bryant. Now, we're going to speak pieces. Each pupil will speak a piece or write a composition. You may take your choice."
"I'll speak a piece! Let me speak first!" exclaimed Cousin Ethel, jumping up and down. "May I speak now, Teacher!"
"Yes, Ethel, dear," said Midget, kindly; "you may speak your piece first. Stand up here, by me. Make your bow."
So Cousin Ethel came up to Marjorie, and acted like a very shy and bashful child. She put her finger in her mouth, and dropped her eyes and wriggled about, and picked at her skirt, until everybody was in peals of laughter.
"Be quiet, children," said Midget, trying to control her own face. "Now, everybody sit still while Ethel Bryant recites."