Elise was a good walker, and Azalea was tireless.
One day they had gone a long distance from home, when suddenly Azalea said, "I wish you'd stay here a few minutes, Elise, and wait for me." "Why, where are you going ?" asked the other, in astonishment.
"Never mind, it's a little secret,--for the present.

You just sit here on the grass and wait,--there's a duck.

Here's a book you can read." Azalea offered Elise a small volume--it was a new humorous publication, and one Elise had expressed a desire to read.

She took it, saying, "All right, Zaly, go ahead, but don't be too long." Azalea left her, and Elise soon became absorbed in the book.
It was a full half hour before Azalea returned.
"Where _have_ you been ?" asked Elise, looking up, and then glancing at her watch.

"It's half-past four!" "I know it.