`` Well , I 'm glad to know it , for I began to think you were planning to study surgery or farming . And what is this , if you please ? ` Babies ' Aprons ' is all I can make of it . '' Rose looked hard at the scrawl , and presently announced , with an air of superior wisdom , `` Oh , that 's ` Bacon 's Essays . ' '' `` Miss Power did not teach anything so old-fashioned as writing , I see . Now look at this memorandum Aunt Plenty gave me , and see what a handsome plain hand that is . She went to a dame-school and learnt a few useful things well ; that is better than a smattering of half a dozen so-called higher branches , I take the liberty of thinking . '' `` Well , I 'm sure I was considered a bright girl at school , and learned everything I was taught . Luly and me were the first in all our classes , and ` specially praised for our French and music and those sort of things , '' said Rose , rather offended at Uncle Alec 's criticism . `` I dare say ; but if your French grammar was no better than your English , I think the praise was not deserved , my dear . '' `` Why , uncle , we did study English grammar , and I could parse beautifully . Miss Power used to have us up to show off when people came . I do n't see but I talk as right as most girls . '' `` I dare say you do , but we are all too careless about our English . Now , think a minute , and tell me if these expressions are correct ` Luly and me , ' ` those sort of things , ' and ` as right as most girls . ' '' Rose pulled her pet curl and put up her lip , but had to own that she was wrong , and said meekly , after a pause which threatened to be sulky , `` I suppose I should have said ` Luly and I , ' in that case , and ` that sort of things ' and ` rightly , ' though ` correctly ' would have been a better word , I guess . '' `` Thank you ; and if you will kindly drop ' I guess , ' I shall like my little Yankee all the better . Now , see here , Rosy , I do n't pretend to set myself up for a model in anything , and you may come down on my grammar , manners or morals as often as you think I 'm wrong , and I 'll thank you . I 've been knocking about the world for years , and have got careless , but I want my girl to be what I call well-educated , even if she studies nothing but the three ` Rs ' for a year to come . Let us be thorough , no matter how slowly we go . ''
He spoke so earnestly and looked so sorry to have ruffled her that XXXXX went and sat on the arm of his chair , saying , with a pretty air of penitence , `` I 'm sorry I was cross , uncle , when I ought to thank you for taking so much interest in me .
Alec English French Rose Rs Yankee minute right scrawl year