“I know it's bad, but I was in a hurry when I did it, and I am in one now.” And away went Rose, glad to escape a lecture.
But she got it when she came back, for Uncle Alec was still knitting his brows over the list of books, and sternly demanded, pointing to a tipsy-looking title staggering down the page,
“Is that meant for 'Pulverized Bones,' ma'am?”
“No, sir; it's 'Paradise Lost.'”
“Well, I'm glad to know it, for I began to think you were planning to study surgery or farming. And what is this, if you please? 'Babies' Aprons' is all I can make of it.”
Rose looked hard at the scrawl, and presently announced, with an air of superior wisdom,
“Oh, that's 'Bacon's Essays.'”
“Miss Power did not teach anything so old-fashioned as writing, I see. Now look at this memorandum Aunt Plenty gave me, and see what a handsome plain hand that is. She went to a dame-school and learnt a few useful things well; that is better than a smattering of half a dozen so-called higher branches, I take the liberty of thinking.”
“Well, I'm sure I was considered a bright girl at school, and learned everything I was taught. Luly and me were the first in all our classes, and 'specially praised for our French and music and those sort of things,” said Rose, rather offended at Uncle Alec's criticism.
“I dare say; but if your French grammar was no better than your English, I think the praise was not deserved, my dear.”