Again Lafe repeated, “Thank you, sir, but I don’t think Jinnie could accept money from any one.”
“I don’t see why not! It’s quite customary when a young person is ambitious to receive––”
“Is it, sir?” ejaculated Lafe.
“Indeed yes, and I’ve been making inquiries, and I find there’s a very good teacher on the hill who’ll give her the rudiments.... After that, we’ll see.”
Jinnie was breathing very fast.
“Lessons cost lots of money,” objected Lafe feebly, drawing the girl closer.
“I know that,” interposed Mr. King, “but I want to 161 pay for them. She ought to take one every day, the teacher says, commencing to-morrow.”
Jinnie stood up. “I couldn’t let you pay for ’em,” she said quickly. “I––”
She sat down again at a motion from Theodore.
“Please don’t object until I have finished,” he smiled at her. “It’s like this: If you study, you’ll be able to earn a lot of money. Then you can return every dollar to me.”