sadvantage of starting wrong.

MRS. PETERKIN.--Yes, we came straight enough when the horse was headed
right; but we lost time.

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I am sorry enough I lost the exhibition, and seeing
you take the diploma, Amanda. I never got the diploma myself. I came
near it.

MRS. PETERKIN.--Somehow, Elizabeth Eliza never succeeded. I think
there was partiality about the promotions.

[Illustration]

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I never was good about remembering things. I studied
well enough, but when I came to say off my lesson I couldn't think
what it was. Yet I could have answered some of the other girls'
questions.

JULIA.--It's odd how the other girls always have the easiest
questions.

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I never could remember poetry. There was only one
thing I could repeat.

AMANDA.--Oh, do let us have it now; and then we'll recite to you some
of our exhibition pieces.

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I'll try.

MRS. PETERKIN.--Yes, Elizabeth Eliza, do what you can to help
entertain Amanda's friends.

[_All stand looking at_ ELIZABETH ELIZA, _who remains silent and
thoughtful._]

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I'm trying to think what it is about. You all know
it. You remember, Amanda,--the name is rather long.

AMANDA.--It can't be Nebuchadnezzar, can it?--that is one of the
longest names I know.

ELIZABETH ELIZA. Oh, dear, no!

JULIA.--Perhaps it's Cleopatra.

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--It does begin with a "C,"--only he was a boy.

AMANDA.--That's a pity, for it might be "We are seven," only that is a
girl. Some of them were boys.

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--It begins about a boy--if I could only think where
he was. I can't remember.

AMANDA.--Perhaps he "stood upon the burning deck"?

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--That's just it; I knew he stood somewhere.

AMANDA.--Casabianca! Now begin--go ahead.

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--

"The boy stood on the burning deck,
When--when"--

I can't think who stood there with him.

JULIA.--If the deck was burning, it must have been on fire. I guess
the rest ran away, or jumped into boats.

AMANDA.--That's just it:--

"Whence all but him had fled."

ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I think I can say it now.

"The boy stood on the burning deck,
Whence all but him had fled"--

[_She hesitates._] Then I think he went--

JULIA.--Of course, he fled after the rest.

AMANDA.--Dear, no! That's the point. He didn't.

"The flames rolled on, he would not go
Without his father's word."

ELIZAB