The Mill on the Floss Read Online Free PDF Page A

figures, and
write like print, and see into things quick, and know what folks
mean, and how to wrap things up in words as aren't actionable. It's
an uncommon fine thing, that is," concluded Mr. Tulliver, shaking
his head, "when you can let a man know what you think of him
without paying for it."
    "Oh, my dear Tulliver," said Mr. Riley, "you're quite under a
mistake about the clergy; all the best schoolmasters are of the
clergy. The schoolmasters who are not clergymen are a very low set
of men generally."
    "Ay, that Jacobs is, at the 'cademy," interposed Mr.
Tulliver.
    "To be sure,–men who have failed in other trades, most likely.
Now, a clergyman is a gentleman by profession and education; and
besides that, he has the knowledge that will ground a boy, and
prepare him for entering on any career with credit. There may be
some clergymen who are mere bookmen; but you may depend upon it,
Stelling is not one of them,–a man that's wide awake, let me tell
you. Drop him a hint, and that's enough. You talk of figures, now;
you have only to say to Stelling, 'I want my son to be a thorough
arithmetician,' and you may leave the rest to him."
    Mr. Riley paused a moment, while Mr. Tulliver, some-what
reassured as to clerical tutorship, was inwardly rehearsing to an
imaginary Mr. Stelling the statement, "I want my son to know
'rethmetic."
    "You see, my dear Tulliver," Mr. Riley continued, "when you get
a thoroughly educated man, like Stelling, he's at no loss to take
up any branch of instruction. When a workman knows the use of his
tools, he can make a door as well as a window."
    "Ay, that's true," said Mr. Tulliver, almost convinced now that
the clergy must be the best of schoolmasters.
    "Well, I'll tell you what I'll do for you," said Mr. Riley, "and
I wouldn't do it for everybody. I'll see Stelling's father-in-law,
or drop him a line when I get back to Mudport, to say that you wish
to place your boy with his son-in-law, and I dare say Stelling will
write to you, and send you his terms."
    "But there's no hurry, is there?" said Mrs. Tulliver; "for I
hope, Mr. Tulliver, you won't let Tom begin at his new school
before Midsummer. He began at the 'cademy at the Lady-day quarter,
and you see what good's come of it."
    "Ay, ay, Bessy, never brew wi' bad malt upo' Michael-masday,
else you'll have a poor tap," said Mr. Tulliver, winking and
smiling at Mr. Riley, with the natural pride of a man who has a
buxom wife conspicuously his inferior in intellect. "But it's true
there's no hurry; you've hit it there, Bessy."
    "It might be as well not to defer the arrangement too long,"
said Mr. Riley, quietly, "for Stelling may have propositions from
other parties, and I know he would not take more than two or three
boarders, if so many. If I were you, I think I would enter on the
subject with Stelling at once: there's no necessity for sending the
boy before Midsummer, but I would be on the safe side, and make
sure that nobody forestalls you."
    "Ay, there's summat in that," said Mr. Tulliver.
    "Father," broke in Maggie, who had stolen unperceived to her
father's elbow again, listening with parted lips, while she held
her doll topsy-turvy, and crushed its nose against the wood of the
chair,–"father, is it a long way off where Tom is to go? Sha'n't we
ever go to see him?"
    "I don't know, my wench," said the father, tenderly. "Ask Mr.
Riley; he knows."
    Maggie came round promptly in front of Mr. Riley, and said, "How
far is it, please, sir?"
    "Oh, a long, long way off," that gentleman answered, being of
opinion that children, when they are not naughty, should always be
spoken to jocosely. "You must borrow the seven-leagued boots to get
to him."
    "That's nonsense!" said Maggie, tossing her head haughtily, and
turning away, with the tears springing in her eyes. She began to
dislike Mr. Riley; it was evident he thought her silly and of no
consequence.
    "Hush, Maggie! for shame of you, asking questions and
chattering," said her mother. "Come and sit down on