"Oh, yes, that's it," exclaimed Mary, who began to understand it
herself. "Now, I guess I know. You find what one third of 24 is, and
if that is _one_ fifth, _five_ fifths would be five times that, and
then see how many times 10 will go in it."

"Exactly so," said Sal. "You'll make an arithmetic yet, and have it
out just about the time I do my grammar. But," she added in another
tone, "I've concluded to leave out the Grundy gender!"

Each night after this Mary brought home her books, and the rapid
improvement which she made in her studies was as much owing to Sally's
useful hints and assistance as to her own untiring perseverance. One
day when she returned from school Sally saw there was something the
matter, for her eyes were red and her cheeks flushed as if with
weeping. On inquiring of Billy, she learned that some of the girls had
been teasing Mary about her teeth, calling them "tushes," &c.

As it happened one of the paupers was sick, and Dr. Gilbert was at
that time in the house. To him Sal immediately went, and after laying
the case before him, asked him to extract the offending teeth. Sally
was quite a favorite with the doctor, who readily consented, on
condition that Mary was willing, which he much doubted, as such teeth
came hard.

"Willing or not, she shall have them out. It's all that makes her so
homely," said Sal; and going in quest of Mary, she led her to the
doctor, who asked to look in her mouth.

There was a fierce struggle, a scream, and then one of the teeth was