"You saw it with half an eye, hey?" he said, frowning more fiercely than ever. "So you don't think I'm an ogre that'll eat you up. Well, I'm glad, as you're going to arrange my books for me. Still, some that should have known better took me at my angry word and went away from me. What would you think, young lady, of one who had known me all his life, and yet knew no better than to go when I said 'Go, and let me see your face no more'?" "If it was a 'he'," said I, "that makes it difficult. If it were a 'she', I should say she was a dunderhead. But in a matter between two men, there come in questions of pride and dignity on which I am not able to speak. I don't know enough about it." "Well, well, we won't talk about it now. I am glad Molly O'Brien has your sister, though. And now tell me about yourself. You have other sisters? Why, I remember your grandmother, my dear. You favour her rather." "Not a bit," said I, with some scorn. "Aline is like her, I believe, but more like grandpapa." "Oh, Aline is another sister, I suppose?" "Yes," said I, "our eldest, dear sister, who has mothered all of us." And then I found myself telling him everything about ourselves, as if I had known him for years. I told him even about dear Pierce, at least till the sobs came up in my throat, and I was obliged to walk away from the table, and keep silence for a few minutes to recover my composure. When I came back to the table I found the General sitting as straight as a ramrod, and stroking Paudeen with great gravity, and so we passed on to less trying topics. "But you didn't tell me," he said, "how you propose to use those brains of yours. Brains are given to be used, young lady." "Oh, not in passing exams.!" said I. "I am not clever enough for that, I suppose. I am trying to write," I said, looking down at my hands, for I am shy of betraying my literary aspirations. "Write!" he echoed. "What kind of writing?" "Oh, novels, poems, plays," I answered. "Well, well. So you would be an authoress? Have you published anything?" "Nothing yet." "Ever tried?" "Not yet: I've burned reams." "Ah! not easily satisfied. That's the right way to do good work. Well, the pen has a mission too, young lady. You won't forget that? You won't strive only after worldly honour and success? You won't forget the Giver of the gift?"