Gov. (laughing). No, Flibbie; you are sure to make a mistake on purpose. I know your tricks.
Flib. Ask me to spell “A phenomenally exquisite Dear.”
Hya. What a big word for such a little thing.
Alice. I half think I couldn’t pronounce that long word. It must be at least twelve syllables; and I certainly altogether think that no one could spell it.
Flib. (to Alice). I beg your pardon! I can. (To Governess) Please, ask me to spell “A phenomenally exquisite Dear.”
Gov. Oh, Flibbie, Flibbie, I know perfectly well that you’ll spell “phenomenally” with an F instead of with P H; and “exquisite” with K S, instead of with an X; and as to “Dear,” there are two ways of spelling it, and I don’t know which one you mean.
Flib. Please, ask me to spell it.
Gov. Very well, then. Spell “A phenomenally exquisite Dear.”
Flib. (embracing her). Now hear me spell it, quite correctly, and in one letter.
Gov. In one letter, Flibbie?