She was too honest
to appropriate it to herself without leave, and she was afraid
to allude to the forbidden lessons by asking Amelia or Susan for it.
Several times she tried to draw their attention to the neglected book,
and to give them some hint of her own longing for it,--but all
to no avail. One day, however, she had orders from the children
to clear up the room thoroughly.
"Make every thing neat as a pin," said Amelia, "while we go
down to dinner, for we are going to have company this afternoon;
and if it looks right nice, I'll give you an orange."
"What shall I do with dis yer book, then, Miss Mely?" hastily asked Tidy,
as she stooped to pick up the book, and felt herself trembling
all over that she had dared to put her fingers upon it.
"That? Oh, that's no good; throw it away,--we never use it now,--
or keep it yourself, if you want to," said she, after a second thought.
It was done. The book was quickly deposited in a safe place, and the
clearing up proceeded rapidly. The orange was a small consideration;
for had she not got a book, her heart's desire, and now she could
learn to read.
She could learn all alone; she would be her own teacher.
If she got into a very narrow place she would get Uncle Simon
to help her out.
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