98
SCENES FROM COMMON LIFE
The teacher began to teach Filipok his letters; but Filipok already knew them, and could even read a little.
"Very well; spell your name, then."
Filipok said, "Khve-i, khvi—le-i, li—peok, pok."
Everybody laughed.
"Bravo!" said the teacher; "who taught you to read?"
Filipok summoned courage, and said:—
"Kostiushka. I am mischievous. I learned them all at once. I am terribly smart!"
The teacher laughed, and asked:—
"And do you know your prayer?"
Filipok said yes, and began to repeat the Ave Maria; but he did not get every word quite correct.
The teacher interrupted him, and said:—
"You must not boast. I will teach you."
After this Filipok began to go to school regularly with the children.
