“Then let me always stop and see you write.”

“I am afraid that won’t improve their brightness, Dora.”

“Yes, it will! Because, you clever boy, you’ll not forget me then, while you are full of silent fancies. Will you mind it, if I say something very, very silly?⁠—more than usual?” inquired Dora, peeping over my shoulder into my face.

“What wonderful thing is that?” said I.

“Please let me hold the pens,” said Dora. “I want to have something to do with all those many hours when you are so industrious. May I hold the pens?”