They commenced by talking about Zip.

Dotty said he knew as much as a boy.
"I did think once he was my brother.

And now I'm glad I didn't have a real brother; for if he _had_ been, p'rhaps he'd have burned up our house with a cracker." "So you think little girls are nicer than little boys ?" "O, yes, sir; don't you ?" Dotty spoke as if there could be no doubt about it.
"I like good little girls," said Major Lazelle, "such as can ride a whole day in the cars without growing cross." This compliment gratified Dotty.

She felt that she deserved it, for she had kept her temper admirably ever since she left home.
"I am sure you will grow up, one of these days, to be a very good woman," continued Major Lazelle, looking with an admiring smile at the graceful little girl seated on his knee.

"You tell me you have never been at school.