I heard the decision with great relief. A school was my horror. When the meal was over, I made my way to Cornelius, and half whispered—

"Will you teach me?"

"Perhaps so; well, don't look disappointed—I will."

"What do you know?"

"Grammar, history, geography—"

"I can vouch for the geography," interrupted Miss O'Reilly.

"We shall see."

He examined me; I did my best to answer well, and waited for his verdict with a beating heart.

"What do you think of her?" asked his sister, who now re-entered the room, which she had left for awhile.

"She won't fit in it!" replied Cornelius, giving me a perplexed look.