It was early, and none of the teachers were present, the girls were gathered in knots about the stove and desks.
"Oh girls!" she cried, "I hurried to get here before my angel Celestia. I have the best thing to tell you. You must know she and I were invited, with several others, to take tea at Uncle James' last evening. We had not been there long before aunt said that Mr. Dermott was expected. 'I have it,' thought I. I gave Celestia a nudge, 'Do you hear that?'
"'What?' said she.
"'The great traveller, Mr. Dermott, is to be here presently. Ain't you glad?'
"'Who is he? I never heard of him.'
"'Oh Celestia! and you a representative's daughter! and he invited expressly to meet you—it is well no one overheard you—and you have not composed your conversation either? What will you do? He is one of the famous authors you hear so much of. They will make a statue of him when he dies, like Washington in the capitol, you know.'
"'You don't say so!'
"'Yes, and he has seen the seven wonders of the world, and elephants, and rhinoceros, and polypi, and hippopotami, and Dawalageri, and anthropophagi.'
"'Good gracious!' said she, looking wild, 'You reckon he will speak to me? do tell me something to say!'
"'Could you repeat those names?'