'Recite in concert. What is the capital of Maine?' asked Miss Prawl.
'Augusta-on-the-Kennebec!' shouted Theodora Bowles and Charley Starr, as in one voice. 'Ter-ron-the-Kennebec!' echoed the rest of the class.
'What is the capital of New Hampshire?'
Again the two brilliant ones roared the right answer, and the rest recited, 'Curd-on-the-Merrimac!'
'Vermont?' continued Miss Prawl.
'Montpelier-on-the-Winooski!' yelled the rivals.
'She’s going straight through the United States in order,' decided Theodora. 'I know 'em all, backwards and forwards, and I guess Charley Starr will get left long before we get to the Dakotas.'
'What is the capital of Rhode Island?' asked the wily Miss Prawl, who had noted the absent look on Theodora’s face, and purposely omitted Massachusetts. And she caught everybody in the class.
'Boston-on-Massachusetts-Bay!' the leaders cried. And the parrots mimicked them.
Miss Prawl paused so long that Theodora recalled her question.