"A dillar, a dollar, a ten-o'clock scholar,
Oh, why did you come so soon?"
chanted Elfreda as Anne, followed by Miriam, appeared at the head of the stairs.
"A ten-minutes-to-eight-o'clock scholar," calmly corrected Miriam. "We are early, but you and Grace are distressingly early. I suppose you found the fabled worm."
"Here it is." Grace held up the letter. "If you are pleasant and respectful to us during breakfast, I will invite you to my room to hear it read."
"Your half of the room," reminded Anne, with emphasis.
"I beg your pardon, my half of the room," corrected Grace. "I might lease your half for the occasion, then I could turn you out if you proved a disturbing factor."
"But I could refuse to lease my half," declared Anne.
"Then I should be obliged to turn you out, at any rate. I am much stronger than you."
"It sounds like a discussion between the March Hare and the Mad Hatter, doesn't it?" commented Elfreda.
"It has a true Alice in Wonderland tang," agreed Miriam solemnly. "In the meantime I am growing hungrier. On to breakfast!"