Too well I know the reason why . He has been writing silly rhymes when he should have been doing his sums . I am afraid that boy is going to be a poet , Mrs. Dr. dear . '' `` He is a poet now , Susan . '' `` Well , you take it real calm , Mrs. Dr. dear . I suppose it is the best way , when a person has the strength . I had an uncle who began by being a poet and ended up by being a tramp . Our family were dreadfully ashamed of him . '' `` You do n't seem to think very highly of poets , Susan , '' said Anne , laughing . `` Who does , Mrs. Dr. dear ? '' asked Susan in genuine astonishment . `` What about Milton and Shakespeare ? And the poets of the Bible ? '' `` They tell me Milton could not get along with his wife , and Shakespeare was no more than respectable by times . As for the Bible , of course things were different in those sacred days -- although I never had a high opinion of King David , say what you will . I never knew any good to come of writing poetry , and I hope and pray that blessed boy will outgrow the tendency . If he does not -- we must see what emulsion of cod-liver oil will do . '' CHAPTER VIII . MISS CORNELIA INTERVENES Miss Cornelia descended upon the manse the next day and cross-questioned Mary , who , being a young person of considerable discernment and astuteness , told her story simple and truthfully , with an entire absence of complaint or bravado . Miss Cornelia was more favourably impressed than she had expected to be , but deemed it her duty to be severe .
`` Do you think , '' she said sternly , `` that you showed your gratitude to this family , who have been far too kind to you , by insulting and chasing one XXXXX their little friends as you did yesterday ? ''
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