"I don't guess I do," said Hephzibah.
"Don't you want to learn to read?"
"Yes, but that ain't readin'."
"But you cannot learn to read without it," said Daisy.
Under this urging, Hephzibah did consent to go down the column of two-letter syllables.
"Ain't you going with me after them nuts?" she said as soon as the bottom of the page was reached. "I'll shew you a rabbit's nest. La! it's so pretty!"
"I hope you will not take the nuts, Hephzibah, without Mr. Lamb's leave."
"I ain't going to ask his leave," said Hephzibah. "He wouldn't give it to me, besides. It's fun, I tell you."
"It is wrong," said Daisy. "I don't think there's any fun in doing what's wrong."
"It is fun, though, I tell you," said Hephzibah. "It's real sport. The nuts come down like rain; and we get whole baskets full. And then, when you crack 'em, I tell you, they are sweet'"