Creative Books

But it won't do, ma'am; turn over a dozen
pages, and try again."
Polly obeyed, and did even better than before, saying, as she
looked up, with a laugh, "I 've been through the whole book; so
you won't catch me that way, Tom."
"I say, how came you to know such a lot?" asked Tom, much
impressed.
"I studied with Jimmy, and kept up with him, for father let us be
together in all our lessons. It was so nice, and we learned so fast!"
"Tell me about Jimmy. He 's your brother, is n't he?"
"Yes; but he 's dead, you know. I 'll tell about him some other time;
you ought to study now, and perhaps I can help you," said Polly,
with a little quiver of the lips.
"Should n't wonder if you could." And Tom spread the book
between them with a grave and business-like air, for he felt that
Polly had got the better of him, and it behooved him to do his best
for the honor of his sex. He went at the lesson with a will, and
soon floundered out of his difficulties, for Polly gave him a lift
here and there, and they went on swimmingly, till they came to
some rules to be learned.


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