"It's certainly a great compliment. Has anybody else been invited to
read?"
"I think not," said Fletcher, proudly. "They rely upon me."
"Couldn't you get a chance for me? It would be quite an honor, and I
should like it for the sake of the family."
"I shouldn't feel at liberty to interfere with their arrangements,"
said Fletcher, who didn't wish to share the glory with any one.
"Besides, you don't read well enough."
"Well, I suppose I must give it up," said Oscar, in a tone of
resignation. "By the way, what have you decided to read?"
"I haven't quite made up my mind," said Fletcher, in a tone of
importance. "I have only just received the invitation, you know."
"Haven't you answered it yet?"
"No; but I shall as soon as I go home. Good-night, Oscar."
"Good-night, Fitz."
"How mad Fitz will be when he finds he has been sold!" said Oscar to
himself. "But he deserves it for treating Harry so meanly."
CHAPTER XXIV.
READING UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
On reaching home, Fletcher looked over his "Speaker," and selected
three poems which he thought he could read with best effect. The
selection made, he sat down to his desk, and wrote a reply to the
invitation, as follows:--
"MISS PAULINE CLINTON: I hasten to acknowledge your polite invitation
to occupy twenty minutes in reading choice selections at your
approaching Fair.
Pages:
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159