C. Goody-goody! Babies, school-children, and old women! I'm meant
for something beyond that, or what are intellect and artistic
faculty given for?
L. You could read for Cambridge exam. all the same. Here are tons
of books, and grandpapa would help you. Why not? He is not a bit
of a dull man. He is up to everything.
C. So far as _YOU_ know. Oh no, he is not naturally dense. He is
a dear old man; but you know clerics of his date, especially when
they have vegetated in the country, never know anything but the
Fathers and church architecture.
L. Hum! I should have said the old gentleman had a pretty good
intelligence of his own. I know he set me on my legs for my exam.
as none of the masters at old Coade's ever did. What has made you
take such a mortal aversion to the place? We used to think it next
door to Paradise when we were small children.
C. Of course, when country freedom was everything, and we knew
nothing of rational intercourse; but when all the most intellectual
houses are open to me, it is intolerable to be buried alive here
with nothing to talk of but clerical shop, and nothing to do but
read to old women, and cram the unfortunate children with the
catechism. And mother and Aunt Phrasie expect me to be in raptures!