This was a favorite speech of Mrs. Maynard’s, and as King quoted it, with a twinkle in his eye, it was recognized at once, at least, by the four Maynards.

“All right,” cried Marjorie, dancing about in excitement, “sit in a row, children.  Why, Ed, your hands are a sight!  Go at once, and wash them, my boy, and never appear before me again with such an untidy appearance!”

Mr. Maynard obediently left the room, and when he returned a few moments later, his hands were immaculately clean.  Also, he was munching a cooky, apparently with great delight.

“Give me one!” demanded Cousin Jack.

“And me!” “And me!” begged both the ladies, trying to act like eager children.  Mr. Maynard drew more cookies from his pockets and gave them to the others, not, however, including King and Marjorie.

“Now, children, finish your cookies, but don’t drop crumbs on the floor,” said Midget, choking with laughter at Cousin Jack, who was cramming large bits of his cake into his mouth.

“Please, Mother, may I go and get a drink of water?” he mumbled.

“Yes, Jack, go.  And then don’t ever take such big bites of cooky again!  You children have the worst manners I ever saw!”

And then each one had to have a drink of water, and there was much laughter and scrambling before they were again in order for their lessons.

“Geography, first,” said King, picking up a magazine to serve as a pretended text-book.

“Edward, bound Missouri.”

“Missouri is bounded on the north,—­by,—­by,—­Kansas, I guess.”

“Pshaw! he doesn’t know his lesson! let me say it!” exclaimed Cousin Jack.  “Missouri is bounded on the north by Kentucky, on the east by Alabama, on the south by New Jersey, and on the west by Philadelphia.  It is a great cotton-growing state, and contains six million inhabitants, mostly Hoosiers.”

“Fine!” cried Marjorie, “every word correct!  Next, Ethel, what is the Capital of the United States?”

“Seacote,” said Cousin Ethel, laughing.

“Sure it is!” agreed King; “now that’s enough jography.  Next, we’ll have arithmetic.  Helen, how much is eighteen times forty-seven?”

“I don’t know,” said Mrs. Maynard, helplessly.

“Don’t know your multiplication table!  Fie, fie, my dear!  You must stay in after school and study it.  Edward, how much is eighteen times forty-seven?”

“Six hundred and fifty-nine, Father.”

“Right, my boy!  Go up head.”

“Now, I’ll give an example,” said Midget.  “If Edward has three eggs and Jack has two eggs, how many have they together?”

“Can’t do it!” declared Cousin Jack, “’cause Ed and I are never together at breakfast, and that’s the only time we have eggs!”

“Then here’s another!” cried Midget; “how can you divide thirteen apples evenly among four people?”

“You can’t!” said Cousin Jack, “that’s the answer.”