"Oh, please, sir," she exclaimed; "don't read it. It is not correct ... it is all confused. I was just trying."
"Oh, never mind that."
"Oh, but I do mind. I should be ashamed to let you see this."
He wanted to take the sheet of paper, but she put both her small hands over it. She determined to hold her own even with one of the heads of the house.
Until then he had spoken pleasantly to her.
"Now give it to me," he said briefly. "I'm not playing schoolmaster with a pretty little girl like you."
"But, sir, it is impossible; I can't let you see it," she said obstinately.
Laughingly he tried to take it from her, but she resisted him.
"No, I will not let you have it," she said with determination.
"Oh, this is a joke!" replied Theodore.