16 MY NIGHTINGALE.

Frue Jespersen could see from Holger’s
happy face when he came back from his
first day at school that her boy’s school
life had started pleasantly. Holger was
delighted with his teacher, and ambitious
to learn to read as quickly as possible.

‘She said I would soon learn, mother,”
. he said, as they sat at supper. “I shall
try to win a prize too.”

“And what are the other children
like?” asked Frue Jespersen.

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Holger, and
a shade of annoyance crossed his face.
“They wanted me to play, but I said I
would rather learn some spelling. I don’t
think they like me much, but I don’t
mind as long as the teacher does. You
see, I don’t care for games,” he continued,
looking up to his mother’s face with his
brow puckered. 7

This was the only thorn in Holger’s

school life. Many a time he came home
~ @