He came of his own accord, too.

I did not ask him, or even hint, as Tom says I do, when I want anything; and sometimes I half think he is trying to drive something into my head, or was, when he began to read to me about those old Greeks, Hesiod, or Herod, I don't know which, and Theogony--that's rather a pretty name, don't you think so?
But I could not stand the Greeks.

My mind is too weak to be impressed by anything Grecian, unless it is the Grecian bend.

You tried it until you were discouraged and gave it up, telling me I was the stupidest idiot you ever saw! That was the time we had the a spelling-school in the Tramp House, and you were the teacher, and Harold chose me first, and I spelled biscuit "bisket!" Do you remember how I cried?
and when you told me nobody would ever like me unless I knew something, Harold said.

"Don't talk like that, Jerrie; those who know the least are frequently liked the best." 'What a comfort those words have been to me; and especially at the time when I failed so utterly in examination at Vassar and had to give it up.