Cousin Pons
COUSIN PONS BY HONORE DE BALZAC Translated by Ellen Marriage COUSIN PONS Towards three o'clock in the afternoon of one October day in the year 1844, a man of sixty or thereabouts, whom anybody might have credited with more than his actual age, was walking along the Boulevard des
Bill was less resolute than Tom.
"I guess I'll stay," he said; then picked himself up and resumed his
place in the class.
Apparently calm, James returned to his desk, and commenced hearing the
class recite.
The next morning, on his way to school, James overtook Tom Bassett, who
eyed him with evident embarrassment. Tom's father had sent him back to
school, and Tom did not dare disobey.
"Good morning, Tom," said James, pleasantly.
"Mornin'!" muttered Tom.
"I hope you are going to school?"
"Father says I must."
"I am glad of that, too. By the way, Tom, I think I shall have to get
some of the scholars to help me with some of the smaller pupils. I
should like to get you to hear the lowest class in arithmetic to-day."
"You want me to help you teach?" exclaimed Tom, in amazement.
COUSIN PONS BY HONORE DE BALZAC Translated by Ellen Marriage COUSIN PONS Towards three o'clock in the afternoon of one October day in the year 1844, a man of sixty or thereabouts, whom anybody might have credited with more than his actual age, was walking along the Boulevard des