"O, Prudy," said Dotty, dancing about; "do something quick."
"Listen, dear! Will you promise to learn to read if I'll tell you a story about every single letter there is on your blocks?"
"How long a story? As long as this room? Yes, I'll promige," cried Dotty, with a gleeful laugh. "Go get the stories, and tell 'em this minute!"
"Now we'll begin," said Prudy, no less delighted, pouring the blocks out of the box upon the floor. "I'll ring the little tea-bell, and call the school to order. The school means you, and you must walk in and take your seat."
"Yes, if you'll let me sit in the rocking-chair!"
"O, but that is mine, because I'm the teacher."
"Then I'm goin' off into the kitchen," said Dotty, loftily, "and I don't know as I'll come back. I won't promige."
"O, take the rocking-chair!" replied Prudy quickly. "I'll sit on the ottoman; it's just as good. Glad you spoke of it, Dotty; 'twouldn't be proper for the teacher to rock. Hark! now I tingle the bell. School's begun!"
Dotty walked along, and very demurely seated herself in the big chair.
"Here," said Prudy, showing her a block, "is your first letter; guess what the picture means, and I'll tell you the name of the letter."