"And is so very much learning needed?" asked a womanish voice which yet was a man's, "for the young gentleman who will have lands and servants of his own whenever he wants them?"
"No man can properly care for houses, lands, or servants, who hath not a fair stock of the right kind of learning," said Lionel, stoutly. "Besides," he added, "they say that there are troublous times ahead in our fine new country, and one must have a clear understanding of history, laws, and rules of government in order to act wisely. The colonists may have to act with great decision before long, and a man should be equipped 'to follow the right side.'"
"And well prepared you will be, lad, when that time comes!" cried the hearty voice of Captain Rothwell.
The foppish voice asked again, in tones that all at the table could not hear, nor could Sally have heard only that the young man was seated close by the wall:
"And what will comfort the sister and our fair Lady Rosamond, meantime? Eh? eh? eh? And our fair Lady Rosamond, prithee?"
"There will be homeward trips in the summer," Lionel replied; "no one will need forget me."
"Well, maids must weep when swains desert," lisped the silly young man, whom no one answered.
Then the mocker trilled again, the talk became confused, coming in fragments across the wall. But Sally's eyes were big with a kind of sorrow, and there had come a fast rising and falling at the bosom of her faded little gown.
"He is going away!" she sighed. "My Fairy Prince is going away. The fall will come soon, and away will he go to make the difference between us greater still. Ah! ah! why did the fine voice arise within me, only to show the great distance that lieth between the rich and the poor, those who can learn, and those who know naught?"
"Oh, be quiet, child, and cease repining," cried the good Fairy. "Bestir yourself! Watch your Fairy Prince while you may, as it comforts you, and when he goeth forth to study, go you forth also, and seek out ways to learn yourself. There lieth five years between your age and that of the Fairy Prince, feel you not within your heart that very much might be learned in five years if with a strong will you do your best for Maid Sally?"