This odd development came at the end of the talk, when the illuminating power of both Charles's and the Judge's lights had been notably improved. When the brother understood that further education was being offered him for nothing, a gleam came suddenly into his oddly mature gaze.
He almost exclaimed: "Do you know German?"
"You might say I wrote it."
He pondered. "That means you do know it?"
"Like a member of the family."
"Do you teach nights?"
"I'm going to teach you nights."
And it was so arranged, the lessons to begin directly after Christmas. The boy became briefly embarrassed, boggling over his thanks. But Charles cut him short. "I'm doing it because I want to. That's the only reason I ever do anything."
Relieved, Miss Angela's brother turned to the door, for all the world like one who had come to mend the lamps, and nothing else.
"By the way," said Charles, casually. "Thank your sister for her note, and say that I'll send an answer by mail."