"Mr. French," said she one morning, entering the sitting-room where he was writing letters, "do you know Effie can walk?"
"I beg your pardon—what did you say?" asked Mr. French, dropping his pen and turning in his chair.
"The child's not a cripple at all. She can walk as well as I can."
"Walk! Why, she's been a cripple for years! Walk! Why, Mrs. Driscoll never lets her on her feet by any chance!"
"Yes, but when she's alone she runs about the room, and she's as sound on her legs as I am."
"But Dr. O'Malley said with his own mouth she was a cripple for life!"
"How long ago was that?"
"Four years."
"Has he seen her lately?"