“‘Well,’ sais I, ‘what do you know?’
“‘Why,’ said she, ‘I know Spanish and mathematics, ichthiology and conchology, astronomy and dancing, mineralogy and animal magnetism, and German and chemistry, and French and botany. Yes, and the use of the globes too. Can you tell me what attraction and repulsion is?’
“‘To be sure I can,’ said I, and I drew her on my knee and kissed her. ‘That’s attraction, dear.’ And when she kicked and screamed as cross as two cats, ‘that, my pretty one,’ I said, ‘is repulsion. Now I know a great many things you don’t. Can you hem a pocket-handkerchief?’
“‘No.’
“‘Nor make a pudding?’
“‘No.’
“‘Nor make Kentucky batter?’
“‘No.’
“‘Well, do you know any useful thing in life?’
“‘Yes, I do; I can sing, and play on the piano, and write valentines,’ sais she, ‘so get out.’ And she walked away, quite dignified, muttering to herself, ‘Make a pudding, eh! well, I want to know!’