"Yes—but from whom did you take the idea? Who let that cat out of the bag?"
"Ellen, to be sure, with her plural number for Mrs. Norton's cat, which does not look starved at all—so go into the hall, Miss Ellen, while we think of a proverb."
"Let's have 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,'" said Amy, "I thought of that to-day at Mrs. Norton's."
"Very well, that will do. Come in, Ellen; Cornelia will bring in the first two words, as they are small."
"Cornelia, have you finished your crochet purse?"
"It is almost done."
"Amy, are you not almost roasted in that hot corner of the chimney?"
"It would be more pleasant further from the fire."
"George, you are so fond of skating, don't you hope to enjoy the sport to-morrow?"
"Yes indeed—I think we'll have a blessed cold night, and then we'll have skating."