See first what the shape of the outline of it is, and look at all _those_ little lines, and _those_, and _those_," continued Mary Erskine, pointing to the different parts of the chimney.

"You must examine in the same way all the other lines, in all the other parts of the picture, and see exactly how fine they are, and how near together they are, so that you can imitate them exactly.

Then you must make some little dots upon your paper to mark the length and breadth of the house, so as to get it of the right shape; and then draw the lines and finish it all exactly as it is in the book." Bella looked over very attentively, while her mother was explaining these things to Mary Bell, and then said that _she_ would rather draw a house than make letters.
"No," said her mother, "you must make letters." "But it is harder to make letters than it is to make a house," said Bella.
"Yes," said her mother, "I think it is." "And I think," said Bella, "that the littlest scholar ought to have the easiest things to do." Mary Erskine laughed, and said that in schools, those things were not done that seemed best to the scholars, but those that seemed best to the teachers.
"Then," said Mary Bell, "why must not you write marks." Mary Erskine laughed still more at this, and said she acknowledged that the children had got her penned up in a corner.
"Now," said Mary Erskine, "are you ready to begin; because when you once begin, you must not speak a word till the half hour is out." "Yes," said the children, "we are ready." "Then _begin_," said Mary Erskine.
The children began with great gravity and silence, each at her separate task, while Mary Erskine went on with her own regular employment.

The silence continued unbroken for about five minutes, when Bella laid down her chalk in a despairing manner, saying, "O dear me! I can't make a _a_." "There's one basket of chips," said Mary Erskine.
"Why I really can't," said Bella, "I have tried three times." "Two baskets of chips," said her mother.

"Make two marks on the corner of your board," she continued, "and every time you speak put down another, so that we can remember how many baskets of chips you have to pick up." Bella looked rather disconsolate at receiving this direction.