"Are they all living?"
"No. All dead."
"Not Mary?" exclaimed Bambi.
"No, no, I meant to omit Mary. All but Mary are gone."
"That is very sad," sighed the Professor. "Thirteen sisters! How were they named?"
"After the thirteen original states," replied Ananias Strong.
"Extraordinary, but Mary——"
"Short for Maryland," prompted Strong.
Bambi almost choked. The subject seemed to fascinate her father.
"Is Mary married?" he inquired.