Page:What Katy Did at School - Coolidge (1876).djvu/136

 Word.—Anything. Question.—Would you rather be a greater fool than you seem, or seem a greater fool than you are?

I wouldn't seem a fool for anything, my dear, If I could help it; but I can't, I fear.

"Not bad," said Rose, nodding her head at Sally Alsop, who blushed crimson.

The third paper ran,—

Word.—Maltershahalhashbaz. Question.—Does your mother know you're out?

Rose and Clover exchanged looks.

Why, of course my mother knows it,
 * For she sent me out herself, and

She told me to run quickly, for
 * It wasn't but a mile;

But I found it was much farther,
 * And my feet grew tired and weary,

And I couldn't hurry greatly,
 * So it took a long, long while.

Beside, I stopped to read your word, A stranger one I never heard! I've met with Pa-pistical, That's pat; But Ma-hershahalhashbaz, What's that?

"Oh, Clovy, you bright little thing!" cried Rose, in fits of laughter. But Mary Silver looked quite pale.

"I never heard of any thing so awful!" she said.