"
The doctor turned to him quickly:--
"Out with it, man; if you are master of a profession or a trade or a
theory unknown to the rest of us, you are bound on your honor as a
member of this unique organization to present it."
At the same moment Mrs. Roberts came to his aid.
"Oh, Evan, teach us short-hand!"
Whereupon Mr. Roberts heaved what was intended to appear as a relieved
sigh, and announced that his modesty was preserved.
Upon this suggestion they seized with eagerness; not one of them knew
anything about phonetic writing save Mr. Roberts, and he was master of
the art.
"It is the very thing!" the doctor said, with heartiness. "I should like
exceedingly to learn it, and Ried and the ladies may be able to make it
useful in a hundred ways; and as for the seven, if they really master
it, it may be the foundation of a fortune for some of them."
So, without more ado, it was planned that at the very next Monday
evening the subject should be skilfully presented, its importance and
its fascinations discussed, and the boys be beguiled into taking a first
lesson, sandwiched in between the all-important reading and writing
lessons.
Alas for plans! On the very next Monday the conspirators, with the
exception of young Ried, were together by seven o'clock.
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