“I don’t know,” said Lucy, shaking her head.
“Yes, it was six; and two more make how many?”
“Five?” asked Lucy, timidly.
“No indeed,” said Royal; “why, Lucy, you don’t know how to count.”
“Yes I do,” said Lucy.
“No you don’t,” said Royal; “you don’t know how to count, I verily believe.”
“Well, let’s hear you count: come, begin.”
“One, two, three, four,” said Lucy, and so far she went on very well; but then she began to hesitate,—“four—five—nine—seven.”
Royal burst into a fit of laughter. “You don’t how to count, Lucy,” said he; “and how do you think I can teach arithmetic to a girl that don’t know how to count?”