Volume I Part 43 (1/2)
”Those on the right show when I finished the volume.”
”Well, I wonder what you were cut out for!” said the doctor.
”A Quaker! you aren't a Quaker, are you?”
”No, Sir,” said Fleda, laughing.
”You look like it,” said he.
” 'Feb. 24. Five Penny Magazines, finished Mar. 4.'
”They are in paper numbers, you know, Sir.”
” 'April 4. 4 Hist. de. F.'
”Let us see ? the third volume was finished, March 29 ? I declare you keep it up pretty well.”
” 'Ap. 19. Incidents of Travel.'
”Whose is that?”
”It is by Mr. Stephens.”
”How did you like it?”
”Oh, very much, indeed.”
”Ay, I see you did; you finished it by the first of May. 'Tour to the Hebrides' ? what, Johnson's?”
”Yes Sir.”
”Read it all fairly through?”
”Yes, Sir; certainly.”
He smiled, and went on.
” 'May 12. Peter Simple.'”
There was quite a shout at the heterogeneous character of Fleda's reading, which she, not knowing exactly what to make of it, heard rather abashed.
” 'Peter Simple!' ” said the doctor, settling himself to go on with his list; ”well, let us see. 'World without Souls.' Why, you Elf! read in two days.”
”It is very short, you know, Sir.”
”What did you think of it?”
”I liked parts of it very much.”
He went on, still smiling.
” 'June 15. Goldsmith's Animated Nature.'