CH 108

“Lady Aide would be better persuaded by kind words.”

I wanted to say no, but I hesitated when I remembered what the little child had done to me and what she had done to Sir Henry.

“You mean to be kind?”

“Yes. Instead of insisting that she should study together with you, persuade her by saying, ‘Would you like to study together?’”

“I’m not insisting.”

“I know, but it won’t be how Lady Aide hears it. That’s because of the way you speak.”

Sir Henry shrugged his shoulders and continued.

“Even if you get angry, be patient and ask questions so that Lady Aide can make a choice. Then, of course, Lady Aide will say that she will study with the young master.”

I was offended because it wasn’t a nice thing to hear, but of course I made up my mind when I heard that I could study together with the little child.

“I see.”

“Oh right. And one more thing you need to know.”

“More?”

I was about to get annoyed again because there were more things I had to worry about. Even though he said it bluntly, Sir Henry was serious, as if this was the most important thing.

“You have to leave immediately after Lady Aide replies that she will study with you.”

This was really hard to understand. I need to have a cup of tea to see her longer. I wanted to be with the little child a little longer. Even if we see each other often in the future, we were having time to spend together right away, so it was a waste to blow it away.

“Why?”

“Because Lady Aide must have made an impulsive decision. As you know, Lady Aide is a grown-up. As you spend time together, she may soon come to her senses and change her mind to think about it some more. So don’t forget. Be sure to leave!”

The seriousness of Sir Henry’s speaking too seriously was conveyed to me, so I couldn’t take it lightly. I nodded in surprise.

The next day, I immediately called the little child. She obviously wouldn’t want to come, so I asked the coachman to bring her. As expected, the little child came angrily. I held back what I wanted to do as usual, and said it as calmly as possible, as Sir Henry said. To let the little child choose.

“I will. I will study with you.”

I don’t know if it was because the content was tempting or because Sir Henry’s advice worked, but for some reason the little child gave a cool permission. It’s nice for the little child to show affection by giving me a slap. But I’m also happy that she doesn’t act brusque. I spoke rather politely, not wanting to show my liking.

“Well thought. Opportunities like this don’t come easily.”

Excited as I was, I frowned at Sir Henry’s sudden clearing of his throat and disturbing behavior. But in an instant, I remembered what he had said and my mind flashed. He said that if I waited long enough, she might change her mind!

Rather than wanting to be with the little child right away, the desire to continue to be together for a long time in the future was greater. I knew that I have a weak patience, but I knew that I had to be patient to aim for what I wanted.

I yelled nonsense at the little child and quickly left. Then, fearing that the little child would come after me, I went in after looking for an empty room not far away.

“Is this it? Did I do well?”

I asked Sir Henry, who followed and closed the door. I did what he told me to do, but after I did, I felt anxious. Even though I wasn’t particularly mean to the little child, I feel like I did something bad when I left her alone. So I had to ask him.

Looking at Sir Henry, he gave a thumbs up.

“It was wonderful.”

Sir Henry’s grinning smile looked friendly today. It seems that he had praised me. It looks like things went well as planned. I was glad that everything seems to be going well these days. That’s how I was excited to see the little child every day from now on.