child; what can you mean?" "Indeed and in very truth, I am saying nothing
but what he told me himself; and besides that he has settled it all with
Mr. Laurie; I am sure it is very kind of him: but, Nelly, do you know, I
am half afraid to come to him as a scholar, for when my poor father used
to teach me, I was sometimes very stupid and could not understand what he
told me? Now, if I should be so with the Minister, what will become of me?
I cannot expect him to have the patience with me that my father had; and
if he should be very angry with me, I shall be so frightened I shall wish
I had refused his kind offer; it must be a fearful thing to make the
Minister angry." "It is both a fearful thing and a wicked thing," answered
Nelly; "but there is one comfort for you, it is not very easily done. If
it really is as you say, that master his own self will condescend to teach
you, James Telfer, the shoemaker's son, to read! you must try, with all
your might, to learn as fast as you can, that you may give him as little
trouble as possible. Refuse, indeed, such an offer! you would have made
him angry in good earnest then, I believe, and with some reason. But,"
continued she, "above all things, be obedient, and do all he desires you."
Then, after being silent a little, she said, as if to herself, "I should
think he might have had enough of teaching, after all the trouble and
sorrow his own son cost him. I am sure, if that little violent monkey had
not been sent to school, he would have been the death of my master. I
never wish to hear of his teaching boys again, so little like sweet Miss
Helen; but it is all out of charity, I see that very well; just like his
kind heart."

Nelly proceeded now to prepare for dinner, and John, after planting his
slips, carried them to the green, and set them all in a row, that Mr.
Martin might see them, and give him an opportunity of asking his leave to
place them on the outside of his window. He had but just got them all
ready, when seeing Mr. Martin walking very quick up the lane, he ran to