MRS. PETERKIN.--He told us the same story,--we were going to Providence; if we wanted to go to Boston, we must turn directly round.
ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I told him I couldn’t; but he took the horse’s head, and the first thing I knew--AMANDA.--He had yanked you round!
MRS. PETERKIN.--I screamed; I couldn’t help it!
ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I was glad when it was over!
MOTHER.--Well, well; it shows the disadvantage 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.
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.
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.--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.--Casablanca! 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.