422 
HOW RECEIVED. 
whether you would like to have me, but I 
wish I could.” 
Annie was at first too much surprised to 
answer. “Why, Antoinette!” she said, at 
length. “ I thought you would not spend 
a winter in the country upon any account. 
You said you should die of stupidity; and I 
am really afraid you would find it very dull, 
especially as the boys are to be away.” 
“I don’t care for the dulness,” said 
Antoinette. “ I like the way you go on 
here, and I like reciting to Miss Taylor 
much better than going to school. I am 
sure I learn faster. You see, I am not 
naturally quick like Matilda, and our 
school is so large that the scholars have 
to help themselves a great deal. It is 
against the rules to ask for an explanation 
out of class. That does well enough for 
the bright ones, but not for dull scholars 
like me.” 
“You have improved a great deal, I 
know,” said Annie, “and in other things 
besides lessons, and I should like to have 
you stay very much.” Annie made this de¬ 
claration with the most perfect sincerity,—• 
though she could not have said as much 
