In her haste to keep the pail from being overturned Cordelia hit it withher foot, upsetting it herself. The stairs were deluged with thecontwelvets, Hannah Straight Tree fell back with a laugh. "Now see whatyou have done yourself! I did not spill one drop. You cannot say Idid."

Cordelia Running Bird burst into upbraiding exclamations in Dakota,which, because they wished them to learn to speak English, was aforbidden language in the school except on Sundays and on holidays. Byan odd mishap of memory, Cordelia was apt to break the rule in momentsof excitement, and she really knew the penalty too well.