"
"It surely is," conceded Mr. Minturn. "I could see that Nellie was alert
the instant you mentioned it. Come over here to the shade and tell me how
far you have gone. You see I've undertaken the boys' education. Malcolm
inherits his mother's musical ability to a wonderful degree. It is
possible that he could be started on this, and so begin his work while he
thinks he's playing."
Leslie walked to the spot indicated, far enough away that conversation
would not interrupt Mrs. Winslow's reading, and near enough to watch the
boys; she and Mr. Minturn sat on the grass and talked.
"It might be the very thing," said Leslie. "Whatever gives even a faint
hope of attracting a boy to an educational subject is worth testing."
"One thing I missed, I always have regretted," said Mr. Minturn, "I never
had educated musical comprehension. Nellie performed and sang so well, and
in my soul I knew what I could understand and liked in music she scorned.
Sometimes I thought if I had known only enough to appreciate the right
thing at the right time, it might have formed a slender tie between us; so
I want the boys both to recognize good music when they hear it; but they
have so much to learn all at once, poor little chaps, I scarcely see where
to begin, and in a musical way, I don't even know how to begin.
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