“I don’t mind you scolding me,” he replied; “but I don’t think I have done anything this time, except—”
“Except what?” said Helen, for the boy paused.
“Except talk to Bob Dimsted.”
“Have you been out to meet him?”
“No, that I haven’t,” cried Dexter. “He came to the bottom of the river to fish, and he spoke to me; and if I had not answered, it would have seemed so proud.”
Helen was silent for a few moments, not knowing what to say.
“It was not about that,” she said, at last, “but about your lessons. Mr Limpney has again been complaining very bitterly to papa about your want of progress.”
“Yes,” said Dexter, “and he is always scolding me.”
“Then why don’t you try harder?”
“I do, but I am so stupid.”