“All of us think it is fine,” said Nan.
“Speak for yourself!” whispered Lucy. “Mag and I think it is smart Alec of him and we bet he does it ’cause he wants to, not to help the colored people.”
“I beg your pardon! Did you speak to me?” asked the count, recovering himself from the evident confusion into which Helen’s and Nan’s approbration seemed to have plunged him.
“I—I—said—er—I said you and your kind secretary must enjoy the work,” stammered Lucy.
“Do you find they learn easily?” asked Dr. Wright, trying to hide his feelings and wishing he had put in his spare time in altruistic work among the colored brethren.
“The truth of the matter is I do no teaching myself. This night school is a fad of Herz, my secretary.”
“Ah, but I know you do some, because Chloe tells me of how kindly you speak to the darkies,” insisted Helen. “She says you make beautiful talks to them sometimes and they are crazy about you.”
“They exaggerate!” shrugged the count. “They seem a simple, kindly folk, grateful for any crumb of learning.”
“Aren’t there any district schools here for the colored people?” asked George Wright.