She shook off her sister's hand.
"I wasn't a 'peakin' to you," said she.
"Never mind her, Prudy," said Miss Carlisle, for the poor girl was crimson with shame; "let your little sister come to me; perhaps she wishes to tell me something." Miss Carlisle bent forward, and let Dotty place her rosy lips close to her face.
"Now, what do you wish, little one ?" "You didn't hear me say my _werse_," whispered Dotty, in a tone of pique.
"Your verse?
Did you learn one, child ?" "Yes, 'm, I did.

I learned it all day yes'day." "O, very well! then say it, by all means, dear." Prudy's face expressed perfect despair.

She tried to hush Dotty; but one might as well coax the wind to stop blowing.

The child's thoughts had been like caged birds, and now out they must fly.
"Shall I _whisper_ ?" asked Dotty.
"No, say your verse aloud." The child planted herself in front of the class, and recited, in a high key, and with the greatest delight,-- "What you thpose um had for supper?
B'ack-eyed beans, un bread un butter." It was not possible to help smiling.

Prudy in spite of her shame and distress, shook with laughter; but it was a laughter just ready to tremble into tears.
"I'll never ask mother to let her come again, if I once _do_ get her safe home," thought outraged Prudy.
Dotty was not allowed to attend Sabbath school again that year; but it was a long time before she forgot some of the things she had heard Miss Carlisle say.