"Do you learn any lessons?" asked she, thinking he seemed to enjoy
talking with her. "I thought at dinner today that you seemed to know a
great many things."

"Did I? That is very odd, for I fancied I knew nothing; and I want to
learn every thing--if Mr. Cardross will teach me. I should like to
sit and read all day long. I could do it by myself, now that I have
found out a way of holding the book and turning over the leaves without
nurse's helping me. Malcolm invented it--Malcolm is so clever and so
kind."

"Is Malcolm always with you?"

"Oh yes; how could I do without Malcolm? And you are quite sure your
father will teach me every thing I want to learn?" pursued the little
earl, very eagerly.

Helen was quite sure.

"And there is another thing. Mr. Menteith says I must try, if possible,
to learn to write--if only so as to be able to sign my name. In
eleven more years, when I am a man, he says I shall often be required to
sign my name. Do you think I could manage to learn?"

Helen looked at the poor, twisted, powerless fingers, and doubted it
very much. Still she said cheerfully, "It would anyhow be a good thing
to try."

"So it would--and I'll try. I'll begin tomorrow. Will you"--with