Bressant, who had been looking steadily and curiously at the professor
during the whole of this long speech, now passed his hand from his
forehead down over his face and beard--a common trick of his--smiled
meditatively, and said: "I'm glad you agree to take me. I don't care for your recommendation if
I have your instruction. Shall we begin to-morrow?"
There followed a discussion relative to hours, methods, and materials,
which lasted very nearly until tea-time. Then, as there was still some
rain falling, the professor extended to his pupil an invitation to
supper, on his accepting which the old gentleman shuffled out into the
entry, and called to Cornelia to come down and make the necessary
preparations.