"Why, my teacher told us about George Washington," cried Dot, with importance, "only a little while ago. And she said they raised a cabal against him——"
"That means a conspiracy," put in Ruth, quietly. "How can you folks study when you all talk so much?"
"Well, Martha," began Tess, when Ruth interposed:
"Don't get your Marthas mixed, dear."
"That's right, Tess," said Agnes. "George Washington's wife was not the sister of Lazarus—that's sure!"
"Oh, Aggie! how slangy you are!" cried Ruth.
Neale had slipped out after last speaking. He came in all of a bustle, stamping the snow from his feet on the hall rug.
"It's begun, girls!" he cried.
"Ye-es," admitted Tess, gravely. "I know it's begun; but I don't see how I am ever going to finish it."
"Oh, dear me, Tess! Let that old composition go for to-night," begged Agnes. "Do you mean it has begun to snow, Neale?"