I think," he added thoughtfully, "that I could brighten
Europe up a bit."
"I do not doubt it," said Sir Tancred politely.
"Well, you see, sir, it's like this," said Tinker. "When I adopted
Elsie you said that I was to take all responsibility; and I think I
ought to look after her education; it's no good adopting sisters by
halves."
"You are right, of course," said Sir Tancred. "But I'm sorry for you.
For a boy of nearly twelve, your knowledge of the things taught by
governesses is small. Your spelling, now, it is--shall we say
phonetic?"
"I don't think a gentleman ought to spell too well any more than he
ought to speak French with too good an accent," said Tinker firmly.
"There's a good deal in what you say," said Sir Tancred. "But I'm
afraid that when Elsie has learnt geography, say, the position of
Schleswig-Holstein and Roumania and Leeds, and other such places to
which we should never dream of going, she might look down on you for
only knowing the towns on the great railways of Europe and America, and
the steamer routes of the world."
"She might. But I don't think she's like that, though, of course, with
a girl you never can tell. I think it's more likely she would want to
teach me where they are.
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