“I don’t believe they know much,” she concluded; “but I’ll learn to read and just see.”
“It will be hard work,” he warned. But he had come prepared for acquiescence. He took a primer from his pocket and, lighting a match, showed her the alphabet.
“Learn those,” he said.
“What for?” she asked, looking at the letters disdainfully.
“Because that’s the way,” he said, as the light flared and went out.
“I don’t believe it,” she disputed, disappearing in the wood and returning with a pine-knot. They lighted it and its smoky flame threw wavering shadows about. She turned the leaves till she came to a picture which she studied intently.
“Is this about this?” she asked, pointing alternately to reading and picture.
‚ÄúYes. And if you learn‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù
“Read it,” she commanded. He read the page.