Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - Chapter XXI. In Papa's room.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
180 THE SKJUTS-BOY.
who knew how fo exert his talents and elocluence in such an
unworthy manner."
"Dear papa, I will hOt deny but that if is a great fault fo
laugh af the foolishness of others, but I assure you, that even
with the best intentions, I could hot overcome a smile #vhen I
saw the ridicu]ous manners, and heard the silly words of the
chamberlain, in which he served up Iris ideas. They were so
uncouth and so silly, that I #vas of¢en obliged fo turn away my
face fo conceal my laughter."
":By this, you only expose yourself and your parents. :[ have
often told you before, and tell you again, that there is nothing
#vhich so much proves a vulgar descent, and a bad education, as
the evil custom of laughing. Vulgar people laugh; educated
people, fo say the most, only twist the mouth, and this is done
in a manner, that there remains still a doubt as fo what causcd
the smile."
"Yes, but, papa, I assure you that if #s utterly impossible for
me to accustom myself fo such a stalle; especially when one,
whose outward appearance already proves him fo be a fool, uses
stupid language# then I must either turn my face aside or laugh
right out."
"But I do not wish you fo laugh af anybody. I tell you
now, once for all, I hope that you #vill obey me."
"Yes, if I should ever happen fo meet him again, I shall cer-
tainly take all pains fo do as you desire me," replied 2kmelia;
"but I hope, from the bottom of my hem% that the diftïcttl#
task wlfich you impose upon me will be spared me."
"As far as that is concerned, you are greatly mistaken, for he
is the very man who bas written #o me, and proposed for your
hand."
"What! if that is the case, I shall knit him one of the mos#
beautfful littlc mittens, and present if fo him; or, if you do hOt
think that appropriate, then––- Oh, wont you bave the kind-
ness, dear papa, to write fo him, ¢hat I was greatly obliged for
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
