'Tisn't often you can look down at
old Principle from such a superior height."
"We want to ask you if we may send Rob down to you for you to teach him
to read," said Roy, eagerly.
"And why have not two idle boys more time than a busy shopkeeper to do
such a thing?" demanded the old man.
"Oh, well, you see," explained Roy, confusedly; "grown-up people know
how to teach, and boys don't. Besides, we aren't idle, we work hard at
lessons all the morning, and we have half an hour's prep after tea."
Old Principle shook his head.
"And you're the lad for making people better, and doing good to all.
'Tis a bad principle, my boy, to wait for great opportunities, and let
the small ones go!"
"Do you think we ought to teach him?" questioned Dudley.
"If he wants to learn, and you have the time, you will be letting the
opportunity slip, that's all. And moreover old Principle isn't going to
be the one to help you do it."
The old man turned his back upon them and walked into the pine wood
again, leaving the two boys gazing after him with perturbed faces.
"He's rather cross this afternoon," observed Dudley.
"I s'pose he thinks it's for our good. Shall we try again? Could you
teach him one day, and me the next? That wouldn't be quite so tiring.
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