“COUSIN SUKEY,” SAID LITTLE COLUMBUS, “I WANT TO ASK A FAVOR OF YOU.”
“What is it, Columbus?” said Sue. “Anything you ask shall be given, to the half of my kingdom!” and she struck an attitude, as Isabella of Castile, addressing the great Columbus, with the dust-brush for a sceptre, and the towel, which she had pinned about her head, for a crown.
“You are so funny,” he said, with a faint smile. “But I wish you’d be sober a minute.”
“Haven’t had but one cup of coffee this morning. But what do you want?”
“Jack——”
“Oh, yes, it’s always Jack with you. But that’s right—Jack deserves it.”
“Jack can’t do his sums, and he won’t ask you to help him.”
“And so he got you to ask?”
“No, he didn’t. He wouldn’t let me, if he knew. He thinks a young lady like you wouldn’t want to take the trouble to help him.”