Little Tora, The Swedish Schoolmistress and Other Stories

tting round the table in state. The polished silver and shining glass, with porce

at the door, who must see the doctor about something particular. "There is nobody sick mor

er have your meals in peace!" said

ton head-kerchief stood stiffly out in a point behind, and her calico apron was without spot or wrinkle. Her shoes, though they had been diligently blackened and were under high polish, did not correspond with the rest of her appearance. They had evidently been ma

y, after she had dropped her bob-courte

itation, as she hastily took out a thin, black book from the sm

r us while we are taking our dinner. My brother-in-law h

nounced the name of the song. It was a patriotic one, and in the full choru

g and a faltering and a falsity that made the doctor's boys cover their laughi

taking their soup, as well as listening; but the boys observed that their uncle quietly held his motionless spoon, and was looking at the singer as i

a simple newly-published carol that she had that day been practising at school. Here it seemed the musical accompanime

e-smiling boys h

Karl says. He has taught her ever so many, and it costs her nothing to

as the elocutionary treat with which it was now accompanied, and

leasure, little Tora?" said the doctor,

rd him say to mother, 'The poor children will have to earn all they have soon.' I made up my mind to begin at once, and earn my shoes, if I could. Our teacher told us to-day about Jenny Lind, who began to sing when she was a very little girl, and when she was older she made a great deal of money, an

ng," said the brother-in-law.

ened when it came to the doctor's turn to contribute. The mother fumbled confusedly in her pocket, and found only her handkerchief. The boys toss

ger. As for the shoes, I'll see about that.-I would not advise you, though, little Tora, to tr

a little schoolmistress? That would be a nice way for you to take care of yourself, and maybe

as provided for from that day; and so, if she did not sing like Jenny Lind, she san