Wednesday, 28th.
My poor schoolmistress wanted to finish her year of school: she departed
only three days before the end of the lessons. Day after to-morrow we go
once more to the schoolroom to hear the reading of the monthly story,
_Shipwreck_, and then--it is over. On Saturday, the first of July, the
examinations begin. And then another year, the fourth, is past! And if
my mistress had not died, it would have passed well.
I thought over all that I had known on the preceding October, and it
seems to me that I know a good deal more: I have so many new things in
my mind; I can say and write what I think better than I could then; I
can also do the sums of many grown-up men who know nothing about it, and
help them in their affairs; and I understand much more: I understand
nearly everything that I read. I am satisfied. But how many people have
urged me on and helped me to learn, one in one way, and another in
another, at home, at school, in the street,--everywhere where I have
been and where I have seen anything! And now, I thank you all. I thank
you first, my good teacher, for having been so indulgent and
affectionate with me; for you every new acquisition of mine was a labor,
for which I now rejoice and of which I am proud. I thank you, Derossi,
my admirable companion, for your prompt and kind explanations, for you
have made me understand many of the most difficult things, and overcome
stumbling-blocks at examinations; and you, too, Stardi, you brave and
strong boy, who have showed me how a will of iron succeeds in
everything: and you, kind, generous Garrone, who make all those who
know you kind and generous too; and you too, Precossi and Coretti, who
have given me an example of courage in suffering, and of serenity in
toil, I render thanks to you: I render thanks to all the rest. But above
all, I thank thee, my father, thee, my first teacher, my first friend,
who hast given me so many wise counsels, and hast taught me so many
things, whilst thou wert working for me, always concealing thy sadness
from me, and seeking in all ways to render study easy, and life
beautiful to me; and thee, sweet mother, my beloved and blessed guardian
angel, who hast tasted all my joys, and suffered all my bitternesses,
who hast studied, worked, and wept with me, with one hand caressing my
brow, and with the other pointing me to heaven. I kneel before you, as
when I was a little child; I thank you for all the tenderness which you
have instilled into my mind through twelve years of sacrifices and of
love.