'Oh, Polly! you are so wilfully stupid! The kettle isn't the point--
but the languages. Besides, she didn't learn all the ninety-six
while the kettle was boiling once, you know.

'Oh, didn't she? That alters the case. Thank you,' said Polly,
sarcastically.

'Now observe me,' said Bell. 'I have made the getting into a hammock
a study. I first open it very wide at the top with both hands; then,
holding it in that position, I gracefully revolve my body from left
to right as upon an imaginary swivel; meantime I raise my right foot
considerably from mother earth, with a view to passing it over the
hammock's edge. Every move is calculated, you perceive, and produces
its own share of the perfect result; the method is the same that
Rachel used in rehearsing her wonderful tragic poses. I am now
seated in the hammock, you observe, with both hands extending the net
from side to side and the right foot well in position; I now raise
the left foot with a swift but admirably steady movement, and I am--
Help! Help!! Murder!!!'

'In short, you are not in, but out,' cried Polly, in a burst of
laughter; for Bell had leaned too far to the right, and on bringing
the other foot in, with its 'swift but admirably steady' motion, she
gave a sudden lurch, pulled the hammock entirely over herself and
fell out head first on the other side, leaving her feet tangled in
its meshes. 'Shall we help her out, Meg? She doesn't deserve it,
after that pompous oration and attempt to show off her superior
abilities. Nevertheless, she always accepts mercy more gracefully
than justice. Heave ahoy, my hearties!'