"I say, mamma," reiterated Conrade, "we can't do lessons without
books."

"Attend to what your Aunt Rachel says, my dear; she wants to find out
what books you should have."

"Yes, let me examine you."

Conrade came most inconveniently close to her; she pushed her chair
back; he came after her. His mother uttered a remonstrating, "My
dear!"

"I thought she wanted to examine me," quoth Conrade. "When Dr.
M'Vicar examines a thing, he puts it under a microscope."

It was said gravely, and whether it were malice or simplicity, Rachel
was perfectly unable to divine, but she thought anyway that Fanny had
no business to laugh, and explaining the species of examination that
she intended, she went to work. In her younger days she had worked
much at schools, and was really an able and spirited teacher, liking
the occupation; and laying hold of the first book in her way, she
requested Conrade to read. He obeyed, but in such a detestable
gabble that she looked up appealingly to Fanny, who suggested, "My
dear, you can read better than that." He read four lines, not badly,
but then broke off, "Mamma, are not we to have ponies? Coombe heard
of a pony this morning; it is to be seen at the 'Jolly Mariner,' and
he will take us to look at it."

"The 'Jolly Mariner!' It is a dreadful place, Fanny, you never will