"Geography, for instance; do you know it well?"
"Yes, Maam; I believe so; I am sure I have studied it till I am sick of it."
"Can you give me the boundaries of Great Thibet or Peru?"
"I had rather not try," she said "I am not sure. I can't remember those queer countries in Asia and South America, half so well as Europe and North America."
"Do you know anything about the surface of the country in Italy or France the character and condition of the people what kind of climate they have, and what grows there most freely?"
"Why, no, Maam," said Ellen; "nobody ever taught me that."
"Would you like to go over the atlas again, talking about all these matters, as well as the mere outlines of the countries you have studied before?"
"Well, I think we may let Margery have the tea-things. But here is Captain's cake."
"Oh, may I give him his supper?" said Ellen.
"Certainly. You must carve it for him; you know I told you he is very particular. Give him some of the egg, too he likes that. Now, where is the Captain?"
Not far off; for scarcely had Alice opened the door and called him once or twice, when, with a queer little note of answer, he came hurriedly trotting in.
"He generally has his supper in the outer kitchen," said Alice "but I grant him leave to have it here to-night, as a particular honour to him and you."
"How handsome he is! and how large!" said Ellen.
"Yes, he is very handsome; and more than that, he is very sensible for a cat. Do you see how prettily his paws are marked? Jack used to say he had white gloves on."
"And white boots, too," said Ellen. "No, only one leg is white; pussy's boots aren't mates. Is he good-natured?"
"I don't call that being good-natured," said Ellen, laughing.
"Nor I; but truth obliges me to say, the Captain does not permit anybody to take liberties with him. He is a character, Captain Parry. Come out on the lawn, Ellen, and we will let Margery clear away."
"What a pleasant face Margery has!" said Ellen, as the door closed behind them; "and what a pleasant way she has of speaking! I like to hear her; the words come out so clear, and I don't know how, but not like other people."
"You have a quick ear, Ellen; you are very right. Margery had lived too long in England before she came here to lose her trick of speech afterwards. But Thomas speaks as thick as a Yankee, and always did."