The white man's wife, whom Meriem had christened "My Dear" from
having first heard her thus addressed by Bwana, took not only
a deep interest in the little jungle waif because of her forlorn
and friendless state, but grew to love her as well for her sunny
disposition and natural charm of temperament. And Meriem, similarly
impressed by little attributes in the gentle, cultured woman,
reciprocated the other's regard and affection.
And so the days flew by while Meriem waited the return of the head
man and his party from the country of Kovudoo. They were short days,
for into them were crowded many hours of insidious instruction of
the unlettered child by the lonely woman. She commenced at once
to teach the girl English without forcing it upon her as a task.
She varied the instruction with lessons in sewing and deportment,
nor once did she let Meriem guess that it was not all play. Nor
was this difficult, since the girl was avid to learn. Then there
were pretty dresses to be made to take the place of the single
leopard skin and in this she found the child as responsive and
enthusiastic as any civilized miss of her acquaintance.
Pages:
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278