Papa told me
one day he thought he would finish it himself; for the last year or
two, at the convent, the masters that teach the tall girls are so very
dear. Papa's not rich, and I should be very sorry if he were to pay
much money for me, because I don't think I'm worth it. I don't learn
quickly enough, and I have no memory. For what I'm told, yes-
especially when it's pleasant; but not for what I learn in a book.
There was a young girl who was my best friend, and they took her
away from the convent, when she was fourteen, to make- how do you
say it in English?- to make a dot. You don't say it in English? I hope
it isn't wrong; I only mean they wished to keep the money to marry
her. I don't know whether it is for that that papa wishes to keep
the money- to marry me. It costs so much to marry!" Pansy went on with
a sigh; "I think papa might make that economy. At any rate I'm too
young to think about it yet, and I don't care for any gentleman; I
mean for any but him. If he were not my papa I should like to marry
him! I would rather be his daughter than the wife of-of some strange
person. I miss him very much, but not so much as you might think,
for I've been so much away from him.
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