What had Peter read? He mentioned timidly “David Copperfield,” “Don Quixote,” and “Henry Lessingham.”
“Ah, that's the way—novels, novels, novels—always sugar ... Greek, Latin?”
“No, just a little at school.”
“Ah, yes, your schools. I know them. Homer?”
“No, I'm afraid not.”
“Ah, well you shall read Homer. He is the greatest, he is the Master. There is Pope for a beginning. I will teach you Greek.... Goethe?”
“I—beg your pardon.”
“Goethe, Goethe, Goethe—he has never heard of him—never. Ah, these schools—I know them. Teach them nonsense—often enough—but any wisdom—never—”
“I'm very sorry—” said Peter humbly.
“And music?”