“Tobit,” whispered the timid Fanny White, and curtsied.
“Quite right, Tobit—go on. It is most important for your soul’s health that you should know what books are not canonical, and in their sequence. What comes after Tobit?”
“Judith,” faltered Fanny.
“Then a portion of Esther, not found in Hebrew. What next?”
“Wisdom,” shouted the next girl, Polly Woodley.
“True, but do not be so forward, Polly; I am asking Fanny White.”
“Ecclesiasticks,” in a timid, doubtful sigh from Fanny, who raised her eyes to the boards above, detected an eye inspecting her through a knot-hole, laughed, and then turned crimson.
“Not sticks,” said Lady Lamerton, sweetly, “you must say—cus.”
A dead silence and great doubt fell on the class.
“Yes, go on—cus.”