Part 8 (2/2)

It was a sum in simple addition. I could not help a feeling of deep surprise and commiseration that one of Rebecca's age should have stumbled at it at all, but I essayed to examine it very closely and worked it out for her as slowly as possible. ”Do you see your mistake?” I said.

She blushed painfully. The tears almost stood in her eyes.

”Yes, and I knew you'd have to find out how dull I was,” she said; ”but I dreaded it. When Miss Waite was here, mother was sick and I didn't go to school at all, and Miss Waite took me for a friend; and I told mother I'd most rather not go to school to you, for Miss Waite said you'd be a real friend, and I knew you wouldn't want me when you found how dull I was.”

I looked at the girl, and a bright, hesitating smile woke in her face.

”Do you know, Rebecca,” I said, ”I don't choose my friends for their mental qualifications--for what they know; I select them just as people do horses--by their teeth. Let me see yours.”

Rebecca laughed most musically, thus disclosing two brilliant rows of ivories. I had noticed them before.

”You'll do!” I exclaimed, lightly. ”I take you into my heart of hearts.

Now, what is your standard of choice? What charming characteristic do you First require in a friend, Rebecca?”

”Oh!” said she, gasping a little and speaking very slowly; ”I--don't--know. I--don't--think--I've got any.”

”Don't be afraid lest you shall guess something that I have not, my dear,” I said; ”You can hardly go astray. Begin with modesty, if you please, truly the chief of virtues.”

Rebecca caught quickly the meaning in my tone, and answered with a low ripple of laughter. When I urged her, she grew gravely embarra.s.sed.

”Well,” said she; ”I don't think I should want anybody that I thought I couldn't ever help them any, you know. That wouldn't ever need me, I mean, and I know,” she went on more hastily; ”it seems funny to say that to you, because it seems as though there wasn't anything that I could ever do for you--because you--you seem--not to need anybody--but I didn't know but some time--there might be something--I thought--maybe--some time.”

Rebecca paused and looked up at me with that pitifully beseeching expression in her eyes.

”Oh, yes,” I answered, still carelessly; ”no doubt I shall be a great burden to you in time. But you do help me now, dear, by your conduct in school. You helped me this morning when you boxed Lemuel Biddy's ears.

I shall have to take boxing lessons of you.”

”You be the scholar,” Rebecca answered quickly, her lips parting again with a merry outburst of laughter.

”Wretch!” said I, well pleased but affecting a tone of deep severity; ”you must not be saucy to your teacher! I shall keep you in the rest of your recess for that.

”Do you like to study, Rebecca?” I added presently.

”No-o,” said she, much abashed at the admission, and yet evidently incapable of speaking otherwise than according to the simple dictates of her conscience. ”I don't think I should care anything about it if it didn't make you so dull not to. I mean,” she continued; ”perhaps I might 'a' liked it if I'd been to school right along, but we never did. And I was to the mills up to Taunton. I didn't stay long there. Then mother was sick. They don't any of the scholars be let to go very regular. Sometimes they're wanted to work out. So they forget. So they don't care much, I think. They get to dreading it. I wanted to tell you so you wouldn't think it so much blame--our bein' so backward.”

”It is the faithful improvement of what opportunities we have, Rebecca,”

I began and then paused, somewhat confused by the throng of lively reminiscences which suddenly crowded my mental horoscope. ”You are young yet, my dear,” I concluded gravely, with a resigned sigh for my own departed youth; ”you can make up for lost time. It is pleasant to give, but there may be circ.u.mstances in which it is our duty imperatively to receive. You must let me do all I can for you this winter. I do want you for a friend, but I would rather it should be on these plainly implied conditions.”

Rebecca had been studying my face, thoughtfully, with a still expression of wonder.

”I'll try to learn,” said she, slowly. ”I'll do anything you want me to.”

”Do you like to read?” I inquired, in a brighter tone.

”Stories?” said Rebecca, a sparkle waking in her eyes.

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