That's fine, isn't it ?" and his eyes sparkled.
"Any more ?" "Also the one you gave me at Christmas.

I have read it a good deal." I liked the tone of quiet reverence in which he spoke.

I liked to hear him own, nor be ashamed to own--that he read "a good deal" in that rare book for a boy to read--the Bible.
But on this subject I did not ask him any more questions; indeed, it seemed to me, and seems still, that no more were needed.
"And you can read quite easily now, John ?" "Pretty well, considering." Then, turning suddenly to me: "You read a great deal, don't you?
I overheard your father say you were very clever.

How much do you know ?" "Oh--nonsense!" But he pressed me, and I told him.

The list was short enough; I almost wished it were shorter when I saw John's face.
"For me--I can only just read, and I shall be fifteen directly!" The accent of shame, despondency, even despair, went to my very heart.
"Don't mind," I said, laying my feeble, useless hand upon that which guided me on so steady and so strong; "how could you have had time, working as hard as you do ?" "But I ought to learn; I must learn." "You shall.