Read "Girls of the Forest" by L.T. Meade online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The first part of the birthday was absolutely over, but the second part -- the terrifying, awful part -- was at hand. Aunt Sophy had kissed Pauline and had blessed her by a look. Her father had also put his trembling hand on her shoulder.
"When you want to read that lovely volume of Cicero," he said, "come to me and I will teach you. I will spare a few minutes of my valuable time to give you instruction."