Ruthie puzzled them a long while on the initial S.At last she said she meant "scrutau" (escritoire or scrutoire), pointing towards the article with her finger.
"Why, that's a _writing-desk_," said Susy.

"I don't see where you learn so many big worns, Ruthie." "O, I take notice, and remember them," replied Ruthie, looking quite pleased.

She thought Susy was praising her.
"Now let _me_ tell some letters," said Prudy.
"L.R.

She lives at your house, Flossy." Nobody could guess.
"Why, I should think _that_ was easy enough," said Prudy: "it's that girl that lives there; she takes off the covers of your stove with a clothes-pin: it's 'Lecta Rosbornd.'" The little girls explained to Prudy that the true initials of Electa Osborne would be E.O., instead of L.R.But Prudy did not know much about spelling.

She _had_ known most of her letters; but it was some time ago, and they had nearly all slipped out of her head.
She said, often, she wished she could "only, only read;" and Susy offered to teach her, but Mrs.Parlin said it would never do till Prudy felt stronger.
I will tell you now why I think Susy did not understand her mother when she said Annie was not a suitable playmate.