"For the present, no." repeated my father; "and what may that mean?"
Paula rested her cheek against the top of my father's head.
"Dearest uncle," she said, "will you please grant me a great favor?"
"Now, what?" said my father--and the stern, serious face lighted up with a
smile.
"You see, the Breton has almost learned to read, and it would be just
splendid if some of his old comrades and his two sons could learn too."
"Oh, Paula, Paula!" said my father--"where is all this going to end?"
But Paula was not easily daunted, especially when the thing asked for was
for the benefit of other people.
"Now, why won't you let me teach them, dear uncle?" She came and kneeled at
my father's feet, and took both his hands in hers.
"But you're only a very young and very little student, Paula. You must be
taught yourself before you can teach others." My father's voice was very
tender, but firm as well, and it didn't look to me as if Paula would win.
She said nothing in reply, but stayed kneeling there at his feet with those
great appealing eyes of hers fixed on his face.
"We shall see, we shall see," said my father gently, "when you've finished
your own studies.
Pages:
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221