“Tommy,” said Mrs. Tortoise, “do you remember how you used to go to school with all the other little tortoises and learn things?”
“Yes,” said Tommy.
“Nine times one makes nine,
Nine times two makes eighteen,
Nine times three makes twenty-seven—”
He said the Nines table because anybody can say the Tens, and he wasn’t sure about the Elevens.
“Hsh!” said Mrs. Tortoise. “That will do. You will wake the Baby.”
“But I will tell you how to remember.” She whispered in his ear.
Then she said, “Now, Tommy, whatever happens to you, mind your manners. Remember to bow to King Leo and to speak to him so politely that he will know you have been well brought up.”
“Yes, Mother,” said Tommy Tortoise.
