UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 25 



a stumbling-block to the understanding, and 

 then we imagine we cannot learn ; but cannot 

 learn I never allow my pupils to say." 



Dear Mamma, my uncle reminds me so 

 much of you sometimes : oh ! if I had attended 

 better to your instructions, I should not blush as 

 I do now at my own ignorance ; but one comfort 

 is my uncle knows you so well that he cannot 

 attribute my faults to your neglect. 



But I must tell you all that happened about 

 this same arithmetic. I was so vexed at my own 

 stupidity, and at appearing as if you had taught 

 me nothing, that a few tears forced their way 

 into my eyes, though I tried to struggle against 

 them : my uncle good-naturedly went back to 

 the table where Wentworth and Frederick were 

 employed, and I soon recovered. 



When they had finished their algebra, to which 

 they seemed to give their whole attention, my 

 uncle said, " Bertha, if you like to try arithmetic 

 again, my daughter Mary will readily assist you : 

 she has one of the clearest heads I ever knew ; 

 and will make every step plain. But I must 

 remark that, if we were to force ourselves to 

 repeat every day the substance of what we learn 

 to some third person, we should instantly dis- 

 cover what part is not clear to us." 



I went then with him to Mary, who undertook 

 the task in the kindest manner to-morrow we 

 are to begin. 



D 



