"
"I don't know how to learn. I've heard tell of the notes and all
that, but I don't know how to work them."
"You have heard the choir in the church--all keeping with the
organ," said Mary.
"Scarcely since I was a child--and not very often then--though my
mother took me sometimes. But I was always wanting to get out
again, and gave no heed."
"Do you never go to church now?"
"No, miss--not for long. Time's too precious to waste."
"How do you spend it, then?"
"As soon as I've had my breakfast--that's on a Sunday, I mean--I
get up and lock my door, and set myself to have a day of it. Then
I read the next thing where I stopped last--whether it be a
chapter or a verse--till I get the sense of it--if I can't get
that, it's no manner of use to me; and I generally know when I've
got it by finding the bow in one hand and the fiddle in the
other. Then, with the two together, I go stirring and stirring
about at the story, and the music keeps coming and coming; and
when it stops, which it does sometimes all at once, then I go
back to the book."
"But you don't go on like that all day, do you?" said Mary.
"I generally go on till I'm hungry, and then I go out for
something to eat. My landlady won't get me any dinner. Then I
come back and begin again."
"Will you let me teach you to read music?" said Mary, more and
more delighted with him, and desirous of contributing to his
growth--the one great service of the universe.
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