"Very well," joined in Miss North, ready to agree to anything. "What
do you say about it, Archelus?"

"Li'l' teeny bit uv a short month," explained Archelus. "Ain' no
longer'n----"

As Archelus was about to illustrate the length of February with his
two small hands, Miss North waived any further information on the
subject, and went on:

"Yes, a short month. And who can tell me what holiday we have in this
month?"

There were two or three who promptly arrived at conclusions. The
visitors were smiling wide smiles of appreciation.

"Lemuel?"

"Chris'mas!"

"Oh, no; we have just had Christmas. Samuel?"

"Thanksgivin'!"

"Why, no, indeed, Samuel; you are not thinking. William?"

"Washin'ton's Birthday!"

One of the visitors, a rosy-cheeked gentleman with white hair, gave
such a loud grunt of appreciation at this that Miss North glanced his