And with great trepidation , Rose gave up her funny little accounts . It really was good in Dr. Alec not to laugh , and Rose felt deeply grateful when he said in a mildly suggestive tone , `` The dollars and cents seem to be rather mixed , perhaps if I just straightened them out a bit we should find things all right . '' `` Please do , and then show me on a fresh leaf how to make mine look nice and ship-shape as yours do . '' As Rose stood by him watching the ease with which he quickly brought order out of chaos , she privately resolved to hunt up her old arithmetic and perfect herself in the four first rules , with a good tug at fractions , before she read any more fairy tales . `` Am I a rich girl , uncle ? '' she asked suddenly , as he was copying a column of figures . `` Rather a poor one , I should say , since you had to borrow a ninepence . '' `` That was your fault , because you forgot my pocket-money . But , really , shall I be rich by and by ? '' `` I am afraid you will . '' `` Why afraid , uncle ? '' `` Too much money is a bad thing . '' `` But I can give it away , you know ; that is always the pleasantest part of having it I think . '' `` I 'm glad you feel so , for you can do much good with your fortune if you know how to use it well . '' `` You shall teach me , and when I am a woman we will set up a school where nothing but the three R 's shall be taught , and all the children live on oatmeal , and the girls have waists a yard round , '' said Rose , with a sudden saucy smile dimpling her cheeks . `` You are an impertinent little baggage , to turn on me in that way right in the midst of my first attempt at teaching . Never mind , I 'll have an extra bitter dose for you next time , miss . '' `` I knew you wanted to laugh , so I gave you a chance . Now , I will be good , master , and do my lesson nicely . '' So Dr. Alec had his laugh , and then Rose sat down and took a lesson in accounts which she never forgot .
`` Now come and XXXXX aloud to me ; my eyes are tired , and it is pleasant to sit here by the fire while the rain pours outside and Aunt Jane lectures upstairs , '' said Uncle Alec , when last month 's accounts had been put in good order and a fresh page neatly begun .
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