Hetty. Yes, and such a reader! I heard her reciting Longfellow's Excelsior; and such reading, and such gestures! (Recites.)

"The shades of night were falling fast,

As through an All-pine village past—"

(All laugh.)

Fanny. O, it's ridiculous!

Lizzie. And then her dress! O, girls, I've made a discovery!

Fanny. What is it? What is it?

Hetty. O, do tell us!

Lizzie. Well, then, you must be secret.

Fanny and Hetty. Of course, of course!