grammar twisted as usual. It doesn't surprise me in the least that you're
always at the foot of the class, if that's the way you study."

"You can talk to me as you like," I answered, "but when Paula gets here
I'll never speak to you again, and I'll tell her not to say a word to you
either. I am mighty glad that Paula's a girl and not a disagreeable boy
like you."

"Oh, keep your Paula, much do I care!" replied Louis.

"Come, come," exclaimed Rosa, "what's the good of fighting over this poor
girl Paula whom neither of you have ever seen!"

"It's Louis' fault!"

"No, it's Lisita's!"

"It's the two of you! If Paula could see the way you quarrel I'm sure she
would not want to come. I hope she will love us all and we must all of us
love her also, because she's not only an orphan, but she's a niece of our
poor dear, dead mother."

Rosa knew well how to bring about peace. One word about our mother was
enough.

"See here, Lisita," and Rosa drew me toward her, "I see that you haven't
the slightest desire to study tonight, so close your book, and if you get
up early tomorrow morning I'll help you. Do you know what I would do now if
I were you."