'How many miles away is t' Greenland seas?—I mean, how long do they take to reach?'
'I don't know; ten days or a fortnight, or more, maybe. I'll ask.'
'Oh! feyther 'll tell me all about it. He's been there many a time.'
'I say, Sylvie! My aunt said I were to give you lessons this winter i' writing and ciphering. I can begin to come up now, two evenings, maybe, a week. T' shop closes early after November comes in.'
Sylvia did not like learning, and did not want him for her teacher; so she answered in a dry little tone,—
'It'll use a deal o' candle-light; mother 'll not like that. I can't see to spell wi'out a candle close at my elbow.'
'Niver mind about candles. I can bring up a candle wi' me, for I should be burning one at Alice Rose's.'
So that excuse would not do. Sylvia beat her brains for another.
'Writing cramps my hand so, I can't do any sewing for a day after; and feyther wants his shirts very bad.'
'But, Sylvia, I'll teach you geography, and ever such a vast o' fine things about t' countries, on t' map.'