"Of what?"
"I know not whether I should tell you that."
"Certainly you should; am I not your friend?"
"Well then—but do not speak about it to any one—I cannot help thinking that if I had lived when our Saviour was upon earth, I should have been one of the holy women."
"Who ever heard of such ambition! Why perhaps you would like to have been the virgin Mary, herself?"
"Oh," exclaimed Nanna, turning her face, that she might conceal the blush, which his words of ridicule, as she esteemed them, had called forth.
"But, my child," continued her companion, "we will dwell no longer upon your holy thoughts, so different from others of your age; proceed if you please."
"Aside from the books I have mentioned, at my father's request, I studied history, geography, natural philosophy, and finally ancient mythology."
"You surprise me! Your education has not been neglected; but you can write, can you not?"
"Certainly, and I have also practised drawing a little."