"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 show 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."
"Hephzibah, do you know what the Bible says?"
"I don't want to learn no more to-day," said the child. "I'm going. Good bye, Daisy."
She stayed no further instruction of any kind; but caught up her calico sun-bonnet, and went off at a jump, calling out "Good bye, Daisy!" when she had got some yards from the house.