Malcolm invented it--Malcolm is so clever and so
kind."
"Is Malcolm always with you?"
"Oh yes; how could I do without Malcolm? And you are quite sure your
father will teach me every thing I want to learn?" pursued the little
earl, very eagerly.
Helen was quite sure.
"And there is another thing. Mr. Menteith says I must try, if possible,
to learn to write--if only so as to be able to sign my name. In
eleven more years, when I am a man, he says I shall often be required to
sign my name. Do you think I could manage to learn?"
Helen looked at the poor, twisted, powerless fingers, and doubted it
very much. Still she said cheerfully, "It would anyhow be a good thing
to try."
"So it would--and I'll try. I'll begin tomorrow. Will you"--with
a pathetic entreaty in the soft eyes--"it might be too much trouble
for Mr. Cardross--but will you teach me?"
"Yes, my dear!" said Helen, warmly, "that I will."
"Thank you. And"--still hesitating--"please would you always call
me 'my dear' instead of 'my lord;' and might I call you Helen?"
So they "made a paction 'twixt them twa"--the poor little helpless,
crippled boy, and the bright, active, energetic girl--the earl's son
and minister's daughter--one of those pactions which grow out of an
inner similitude which counteracts all outward dissimilarity; and they
never broke it while they lived.
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