The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-05-30

ant light. 1t came from the professors study Every
evening it shone there And once when Gertrude
was i'll, 1T had burned all night. Did people never
sleep who queer enough to like figures? But
the professor was kind. His gardener loved him. And
the housekeeper had talked with Gertrude through
the gate between the gardens o, yes; he was very
KIND. They loved him greatly. They had lived with
MN many years And the rabby, too. Maybe if he
could know how very badly poor little girl wanted
to know her multiplication table he might tell the
secret of those terrible figures. Slowly Gertrude
arose, slipped her coat and cap and stole silently
down the back stairs and into the garden without
being seem 1t was the work of a minute to unlatch
the gate Gertrude left it OPEN in case the things
they had said of his kindness might not be true
Up the gravel walk she went, to the door, where
she felt about for bell then finding one raped
with her tiny knuc<les. Nobody came to let her in
again she tapped, louder and louder. Somebody was
coming The door opened. There stood the professor
well, what is it, little one? Couldn't you find
Gretchen?"
Tabby sprang down to rub herself against Ger
trudes short skirt. CT didn't trv 10 find her
II wanted you'll"
Me! And what would you do with me?"
want you to tell me how remember my null
tip cation table. It's most lilng mel"
Why, poor child! Come in! Who sent you?
How did you Gomez"
Seated on the edge of a great chair Gertrude grew
bolder I'm the not-happiest little girl you ever
saw. All cause I'm stupid"
Stupid in what?"
Everything But more stupid bout figures Now
s'pose you tell, 'thout thinking Just how much
nine times seven is? n
The professor smiled. 81 think So"
And just how much times nine Isl?
Yes, even that"
Well, why they both sixty three?
Poor child! And you don't know! Who teaches
you?"
Miss Flint. She's the governess my cousins
so they have her teach me, too Cause I'm having
to 1--we there-there since-my papa"
Yes, yes, little one. But this Miss Flint-doesn't
she tell you why times nine is sixty-three: and
why nine times seven cannot be anything else but
siXty-three, also?'"
Il don't s'pose she knows. Prob'y she thinks
somebody just made it up that way and it had to be-"
Gertrude sighed. But know most of the endings
Only-only some of them get mixed in my membry,'
Inc Dig tabby sprang into the chair back OF Ger
trude and rubbed hCr head into the short curs and
purred with all her might. "That's WHY I came
over here's The professor was smiling The lamp
light falling the little group touched his German
heart Gertrude grew brave Tive come TO oct
your secret bout fgures?" THERE the truth was
outl
20! In this country of women, there's little one
after my professorship! Well, WE'LL" He nearly
laughed aloud Then growing sober because of the
earnestness of the little face before him. Would
you be willing to have teach you in place of Miss
Stone?"
Miss Flint. O. will your"
81 might try. WhGt time do you have arithmetc?"
cat three. Every day but Saturday.
Well, suppose | send Gretchen with note to
your aunt, asking her to let you come back with
her for an hour. Then you'll learn the secret of
fgures-hOw truthful they are, and how faithful.
See! am writing down that it must be done And
l pin it here, so as not forget. Gretchcn!" he
called to woman that moving about in the hall
here is little visitor We must refresh her with
something. Shall it be a glass of milk? What do
you have at night little one?"
Bread-and-water what I would have had to-
night if hadn't talked back to Miss Flint SO 1
didn't have even that"
What! no support" And as the small head
shook sadly, Then, Gretchen. bring a slice of cold
rulI liz Lrnn Il L.