"But I will get ahead of my class! I don't know whether Amos will like that, Father."
"His likes or dislikes make very little difference."
"And Matthew will think it's silly. He says that when girls get learning they are like peacocks spreading their tails in the air."
"In spite of Matthew we shall proceed."
Thus encouraged, Ellen crossed the room and laid her books and paper on the little table. "Example 4, page 50," she wrote, referring to her father's list. Then she put the tip of her pencil into her mouth and laid herself bodily upon the table.
Levis pushed under her feet an old ottoman.
"Sit up, Ellen, sit up! And never put anything but food into your mouth; no pencils or fingers!"
Ellen flushed. She was often offended by the habits of others; she now saw herself sprawling, and blushed scarlet. With the blush her childish unconsciousness of self vanished.
"And don't chew your tongue, my dear!"
"I won't," she promised, deeply mortified.