ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I was glad when it was over! MOTHER.--Well, well; it shows the disadvantage of starting wrong. MRS. PETERKIN.--Yes, we came straight enough when the horse was headed right; but we lost time. ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I am sorry enough I lost the exhibition, and seeing you take the diploma, Amanda. I never got the diploma myself. I came near it. MRS. PETERKIN.--Somehow, Elizabeth Eliza never succeeded. I think there was partiality about the promotions. [Illustration] ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I never was good about remembering things. I studied well enough, but when I came to say off my lesson I couldn't think what it was. Yet I could have answered some of the other girls' questions. JULIA.--It's odd how the other girls always have the easiest questions. ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I never could remember poetry. There was only one thing I could repeat. AMANDA.--Oh, do let us have it now; and then we'll recite to you some of our exhibition pieces. ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I'll try. MRS. PETERKIN.--Yes, Elizabeth Eliza, do what you can to help entertain Amanda's friends. [_All stand looking at_ ELIZABETH ELIZA, _who remains silent and thoughtful._] ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I'm trying to think what it is about. You all know it. You remember, Amanda,--the name is rather long. AMANDA.--It can't be Nebuchadnezzar, can it?--that is one of the longest names I know. ELIZABETH ELIZA. Oh, dear, no! JULIA.--Perhaps it's Cleopatra. ELIZABETH ELIZA.--It does begin with a "C,"--only he was a boy. AMANDA.--That's a pity, for it might be "We are seven," only that is a girl. Some of them were boys. ELIZABETH ELIZA.--It begins about a boy--if I could only think where he was. I can't remember. AMANDA.--Perhaps he "stood upon the burning deck"? ELIZABETH ELIZA.--That's just it; I knew he stood somewhere. AMANDA.--Casabianca! Now begin--go ahead. ELIZABETH ELIZA.-- "The boy stood on the burning deck, When--when"-- I can't think who stood there with him. JULIA.--If the deck was burning, it must have been on fire. I guess the rest ran away, or jumped into boats. AMANDA.--That's just it:-- "Whence all but him had fled." ELIZABETH ELIZA.--I think I can say it now. "The boy stood on the burning deck, Whence all but him had fled"-- [_She hesitates._] Then I think he went-- JULIA.--Of course, he fled after the rest. AMANDA.--Dear, no! That's the point. He didn't. "The flames rolled on, he would not go Without his father's word." ELIZABETH ELIZA.--Oh, yes. Now I can say it. "The boy stood on the burning deck, Whence all but him had fled; The flames rolled on, he would not go Without his father's word." But it used to rhyme. I don't know what has happened to it. MRS. PETERKIN.--Elizabeth Eliza is very particular about the rhymes. ELIZABETH ELIZA.--It must be "without his father's _head_," or, perhaps, "without his father _said_" he should. JULIA.--I think you must have omitted something.