The Story of the Amulet by E. (Edith) Nesbit
page 41 of 317 (12%)
page 41 of 317 (12%)
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'We know you are very, very learned,' said Cyril, 'and we have got a charm, and we want you to read the name on it, because it isn't in Latin or Greek, or Hebrew, or any of the languages WE know--' 'A thorough knowledge of even those languages is a very fair foundation on which to build an education,' said the gentleman politely. 'Oh!' said Cyril blushing, 'but we only know them to look at, except Latin--and I'm only in Caesar with that.' The gentleman took off his spectacles and laughed. His laugh sounded rusty, Cyril thought, as though it wasn't often used. 'Of course!' he said. 'I'm sure I beg your pardon. I think I must have been in a dream. You are the children who live downstairs, are you not? Yes. I have seen you as I have passed in and out. And you have found something that you think to be an antiquity, and you've brought it to show me? That was very kind. I should like to inspect it." 'I'm afraid we didn't think about your liking to inspect it,' said the truthful Anthea. 'It was just for US because we wanted to know the name on it--' 'Oh, yes--and, I say,' Robert interjected, 'you won't think it rude of us if we ask you first, before we show it, to be bound in the what-do-you-call-it of--' |
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