`` Not very well . My father , who taught me , is away , and I do n't get on very fast alone , for I 've no one to correct my pronunciation . '' `` Try a little now . Here is Schiller 's Mary Stuart and a tutor who loves to teach . '' And Mr. Brooke laid his book on her lap with an inviting smile . `` It 's so hard I 'm afraid to try , '' said Meg , grateful , but bashful in the presence of the accomplished young lady beside her . `` I 'll read a bit to encourage you . '' And Miss Kate read one of the most beautiful passages in a perfectly correct but perfectly expressionless manner . Mr. Brooke made no comment as she returned the book to Meg , who said innocently , `` I thought it was poetry . '' `` Some of it is . Try this passage . '' There was a queer smile about Mr. Brooke 's mouth as he opened at poor Mary 's lament . Meg obediently following the long grass-blade which her new tutor used to point with , read slowly and timidly , unconsciously making poetry of the hard words by the soft intonation of her musical voice . Down the page went the green guide , and presently , forgetting her listener in the beauty of the sad scene , Meg read as if alone , giving a little touch of tragedy to the words of the unhappy queen . If she had seen the brown eyes then , she would have stopped short , but she never looked up , and the lesson was not spoiled for her . `` Very well indeed ! '' said Mr. Brooke , as she paused , quite ignoring her many mistakes , and looking as if he did indeed love to teach . Miss Kate put up her glass , and , having taken a survey of the little tableau before her , shut her sketch book , saying with condescension , `` You 've a nice accent and in time will be a clever reader . I advise you to learn , for German is a valuable accomplishment to teachers . I must look after Grace , she is romping . ''
And Miss XXXXX strolled away , adding to herself with a shrug , `` I did n't come to chaperone a governess , though she is young and pretty .
Brooke German Grace Kate Mary Meg Schiller Stuart grass-blade pronunciation