Kate shook her head. “That means sixpence a time in cockles and tea. It would ruin you.”
“Well, I will lend you books.”
“Mr. Fielding once did that, but Aunt Zerah was angry, and sent them back to the Rectory. She said that she did not want me to be a scholar, and have all kinds of book nonsense put into my head. I was to be a maid-of-all-work.”
Bramber did not speak. He was very sorry for the girl, craving for knowledge, gasping for the very air in which her spirit could live--and denied it. Then he said, pointing to the board above the inn-door--
“Do you notice the tavern sign, Kitty?”
“Yes--‘The Rising Sun.’”
“Recently repainted and gilt. Now, I will repeat to you the lines I withheld the other day concerning the celandine; that is to say, such as I remember:
‘I have not a doubt but he
Whosoe’er the man might be,
Who, the first, with painted rays,