Betty does n't know much about sums . But she spells splendidly , and is always at the head of her class . Teacher is real proud of her , 'cause she never misses , and spells hard , fussy words , like chi-rog-ra-phy and bron-chi-tis as easy as any thing . '' Bab quite beamed with sisterly pride , and Betty smoothed down her apron with modest satisfaction , for Bab seldom praised her , and she liked it very much . `` I never went to school , so that 's the reason I ai n't smart . I can write , though , better 'n some of the boys up at school . I saw lots of names on the shed door . See here , now , '' -- and scrambling down , Ben pulled out a cherished bit of chalk , and flourished off ten letters of the alphabet , one on each of the dark stone slabs that paved the walk . `` Those are beautiful ! I ca n't make such curly ones . Who taught you to do it ? '' asked Bab , as she and Betty walked up and down admiring them . `` Horse blankets , '' answered Ben , soberly . `` What ! '' cried both girls , stopping to stare . `` Our horses all had their names on their blankets , and I used to copy 'em . The wagons had signs , and I learned to read that way after father taught me my letters off the red and yellow posters . First word I knew was lion , 'cause I was always goin ' to see old Jubal in his cage . Father was real proud when I read it right off . I can draw one , too . ''
Ben proceeded to depict an animal intended to represent his lost friend ; but XXXXX would not have recognized his portrait , since it looked much more like Sancho than the king of the forest .
'cause Bab Ben Father First Jubal bron-chi-tis chi-rog-ra-phy right slabs