"Mother, have you noticed any alteration in May lately? No? Oh, I have, and her father too! She's far less dreamy and more interested in things in general than she used to be. The other day we were surprised to find she's really beginning to learn to read."
"No!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown incredulously.
"Yes, mother; yes, indeed! It seems it was Billy who taught her her letters. Don't you remember how much time she spent with him after his illness?"
"Of course! But I never paid much attention to them—they used to sit on the settle by the fire, looking at the pictures in some story books he has and talking in whispers. And he taught her then? Yes? Well, I never!"
"She can read short words now," Mrs. Dingle said, with a tremble of joyfulness in her voice. "Fancy! Oh, I think it's marvellous—marvellous! It's been such a trouble to John and me that our little maid should be so different from others."
"I always said she was only backward!" cried Mrs. Brown triumphantly.
Mrs. Dingle nodded.
"Mr. Singleton says if you can interest her in anything she can learn all about it quicker than most children," she said eagerly; "but if you can't it's impossible to teach her or to chain her attention. She got interested in Billy's books because there are such wonderful stories in them, and that made her want to learn to read. Then Billy began to teach her—he says it wasn't so very difficult; but I don't think he quite realises what a great matter it is—that it shows our darling's intellect is less clouded than we thought. Oh, mother, I don't feel now that I shall fear for the child any more! Her school-teacher's most hopeful about her, and I—oh, I'm grateful to God from the bottom of my heart!"
Mrs. Brown changed her iron for a hotter one, and went on ironing silently.
"I feel we owe a great deal to Billy," Mrs. Dingle proceeded, "because he's been so good to May. From the first she took to him. He's always been patient with her and never laughed at her quaint ways. Harold's always saying, 'Don't talk so silly, May!'—not that he means to be unkind, but because he gets impatient with her. Oh, I see Billy's companionship has been a great thing for May! John sees it too. And you do, don't you, mother?"