CHAPTER XI.
HOME HINTS.
“YOU won’t do any lessons, George, during the holidays, I suppose?” said Lily, as she slowly and reluctantly brought her lesson-books to her mother the next day.
“That’s as mamma likes,” answered George.
“I think,” said Mrs. Ellerslie, replying to his glance, “that as you have been working so hard, my boy, you might indulge in a few days’ complete rest.”
“I must not be quite idle,” said George cheerfully; “will you not let me teach Eddy while I am at home?”
“I think that you would be soon tired of the business,” replied Mrs. Ellerslie, with a smile.
“I’ll try my skill as a tutor, at least;” and there was a bright look about the boy, which seemed to say, “I am determined not to be tired.”
So George set about the task of tuition with wondrous good-humour and patience; and Eddy was delighted with his teacher, who really succeeded in persuading him at last that twice two does not make three. I must own that Eddy persisted to the end in calling no—on, and of—for; but then he was but a little boy, and George said that he would do better in time. It was certainly a relief to Mrs. Ellerslie not to have her attention diverted from Lily; but I could not but fancy, from the anxious, abstracted expression of the poor lady’s face, that her own thoughts were often wandering from the lessons to the difficulties of her husband and the expected letter from Bristol.
As soon as the studies were over she quitted the room, doubtless glad that the drudgery was ended for the day; and merry as a bird from a cage, Lily flew to the side of her brother.