ae Turnaside Cottage.

 

cry, “Hm, hm!” and put it back in the corner
again.

The following evening I went again, ringing the
bell with the utmost caution this time; and all
that winter it must have been stormy weather
indeed that could keep me at home, for the twilight
hour with Mr. Hurst had come to be the brightest
bit of my day. Miss Churchill had spoken truly
when she said it was a pleasure to learn under him.
His books were his sole companions and delight,
and he loved them so dearly that one could not but
catch some of his enthusiasm. And stiff and formal
as his manner was in ordinary conversation, he
could teach and explain more clearly than anyone
I have ever met ; so it is no wonder if my lessons
came to be the grand object of my life. I learned
by heart as I dressed and undressed; if sent on a
message, I read as I walked along ; and the matters
of real life seemed to me only tiresome interruptions
to what was far more important. What was life for
but to learn in? I think that with this there was
mingled some pride at the thought of how far I
was outstripping the boys at Mr. Tombs’ school.
When they shouted after me, and called me
Mitcher, asking how much salary I got as Tom
Cad’s clerk, and suchlike jokes, it pleased me to be
able to say to myself, “ Ah, if you knew that I am