"I will, if you wish it, though I confess I have no great inclination. It seems to me as if to learn different names for the same thing were not very profitable; and unless I had occasion to visit the countries in which these languages are spoken, I think it would be time thrown away."
"How time thrown away? Could you not read the literature of the languages? That will expand your mind."
"Literature? Do you mean poetry and fiction—such as your daughters read? I do not care for them. I want to study truth."
"Truth? Yes, but fiction may be covert truth. Tales show us mankind as they are. Literature has a refining tendency, and gives us elegance of taste."
"I should defer to your opinion, madam," replied Euphrasie, with a resigned air; "and when you wish, I will begin."
"Yes," said Mrs. Godfrey, "but not as a punishment; it is as a source of attraction, of interest, that I wish you to cultivate literary tastes."
"I cannot feel interest, madam, in that which will unfit me for my duty."
"Unfit you for your duty! what do you mean?"
"Pray, madam, pardon me; I, of course, defer to you."
"I want no deference, child, save what your reason gives. Explain your meaning."