"I want to whisper something to you, Jim," she said. "Stoop down; I want to say it very, very low. I don't know the clock time."
Jim received this solemn secret in a grave manner. He was silent for a moment; then he said slowly:
"You can learn it, I suppose, Miss Maggie?"
"Oh, yes, dear Jim; and you can teach me."
Jim began to rumple up his hair and to look perplexed.
"I—oh! that's another thing," he said.
"Yes, you can, Jim; and you must begin right away. There's a big, round white thing, and there are little figures marked on it; and there are two hands that move, 'cause I've watched them; and there's a funny thing at the bottom that goes tick-tick all the time."
"That's the pend'lum, Miss Maggie."
"Yes, the pend'lum," repeated Maggie glibly. "I'll remember that word; I won't forget. Now, go on, Jim. What's the next thing?"
"Well, there's the two 'ands, miss; the little 'and points to the hours, and the big 'un to the minutes."