“No; he has an independent fortune, so mamma says. He was in Europe last year.”
“I think, Carrie, we must give up talking and attend to business. I should have checked you before, but I thought a little conversation would help us to get acquainted. Now show me your books, and I will assign your lessons.”
“Don’t give me too long lessons, please, Miss Linden.”
“I will take care not to task you beyond your strength. I don’t want my pupil to grow sick on my hands.”
“I hope you won’t be too strict. When May Robinson makes two mistakes her governess makes her learn her lessons over again.”
“I will promise not to be too strict. Now let me see your books.”
The rest of the forenoon was devoted to study.
Florence was not only an excellent scholar, but she had the art of imparting knowledge, and, what is very important, she was able in a few luminous words to explain difficulties and make clear what seemed to her pupil obscure.
So the time slipped quickly and pleasantly away, and it was noon before either she or her pupil realized it.
“It can’t be twelve,” said Carrie, surprised.