THE WINTER CONTINUES
“Well, I’ll learn then,” said Peter, half sorrowfully and half angrily.
Heidi was instantly mollified. “That’s right, then we’ll begin at once,” she said cheerfully, and went busily to work on the spot, dragging Peter to the table and fetching her books.
Among other presents Clara had sent Heidi a book which the latter had decided, in bed the night before, would serve capitally for teaching Peter, for it was an A B C book with rhyming lines. And now the two sat together at the table with their heads bent over the book, for the lesson had begun.
Peter was made to spell out the first sentence two or three times over, for Heidi wished him to get it correct and fluent. At last she said, “You don’t seem able to get it right, but I will read it aloud to you once; when you know what it ought to be you will find it easier.” And she read out:—
A B C must be learnt to-day
Or the judge will call you up to pay.
“I shan’t go,” said Peter obstinately.
“Go where?” asked Heidi.
“Before the judge,” he answered.
“Well then make haste and learn these three letters, then you won’t have to go.”
Peter went at his task again and repeated the three letters so many times and with such determination that she said at last,—
“You must know those three now.”
Seeing what an effect the first two lines of verse had had
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