human
And it was you who were playing as I came in, he went on, noticing the violin;
gpt
I was wondering who was playing so well. How jolly it must be to play! I wish I could, but I should never have patience to learn. Who taught you?
human
I picked it up myself, sir, Harry replied,
gpt
I should think so, Frank said;
human
I should go mad if I were laid up entirely. I am awfully sorry for you. If you are fond of books I shall be glad to let you have some; I have got no end of them, and there they stand on my shelf unopened from year's end to year's end. What sort of books do you like best? Sea stories, or Indians, or what?
gpt
I should like any story-books, sir, Harry replied, his eyes brightening up with pleasure;
human
I have read a few which father has picked up for me at the bookstalls, and I have gone through and through them until I could almost say them by heart. And then tales of travel and history,--oh, I love history! to read what people did hundreds of years ago, and how nations grew up step by step, just like children, it is splendid!
gpt
I am afraid, Frank said, with a laugh,
human
Oh yes, sir, Harry said eagerly,
gpt
I think I should like those best of all. Have you a Virgil, sir? I do like Virgil, and all that story about the siege of Troy. I only had it for a fortnight. Father bought it for me, and then one of the little ones managed somehow to take it out and lose it; she ran out with it for a bit of fun, and we suppose sat down on a doorstep and forgot it.
human
But, bless me, Frank exclaimed,
gpt
I have taught myself, sir, Harry said.
human
Father is awfully good, and often picks up books for me at old bookstalls. Of course sometimes he gets things I can't make out. But he got twelve once for a shilling, and there was a Latin Grammar and Dictionary among them; and when I had learned the Grammar, it was very easy with the Dictionary to make out the sense of some of the Latin books. But of course I often come across things that I don't understand. I think sometimes if some one would explain them to me once or twice, so that I could really understand how the rules in the Grammar are applied, I could get on faster.
gpt
Well, you are a rum fellow! Frank exclaimed again.
human
I wish I liked learning as you do, for though I am in the Sixth at Westminster, I own that I look upon the classics as a nuisance. Well, now, look here; I have got an hour at present with nothing special to do, so if you like we will have a go at it together. What have you got here? and he walked across to a shelf on which were a number of books.
gpt
Oh! here is a Cæsar; suppose we take that; it's easy enough generally, but there are some stiffish bits now and then. Let's start off from the beginning, and perhaps I may be able to make things clear for you a bit.