"Valentin Katayev. The Cottage in the Steppe (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

could first take the third form exams, then the sixth form exams, and then
the final school-leaving exams. But Gavrik told Petya nothing of all this.
"Well, are you willing to have a go?" he asked instead. "My offer's
half a ruble a lesson."
Petya felt embarrassed and, at the same time, flattered, and he blushed
a delicate pink with pleasure.
"Oh, I'm willing," he said, and coughed, "only not for money."
"What do you mean? Do you think I'm a beggar? I'm working. Half a ruble
a lesson, four lessons a month. That makes two silver pieces. I can afford
it."
"Nothing doing. I won't take money for the lessons."
"Why won't you take it? Don't be a fool! Money doesn't lie around in
the street. Especially now, when you're so hard up for it. At least you'll
be able to give Auntie something for food."
That had a great effect on Petya. He suddenly pictured himself handing
Auntie some money one fine day and saying nonchalantly, "Oh, it slipped my
mind completely, Auntie. Here, I've earned a bit by giving lessons, please
take it. It'll come in useful."
"All right," Petya answered. "I'll take you on. But remember: if you
start fooling around, it'll be good-bye. I'm not used to taking money for
nothing."
"I don't find it in the woodshed either," Gavrik said glumly. The
friends parted till Sunday, which was the lap-pointed day for the first
lesson.






A JAR OF JAM








Never had Petya prepared his own lessons so painstakingly as he was now
preparing for his lessons with Gavrik, for his first appearance in the role
of teacher. Proud and conscious of his responsibility, Petya did his very
best to ensure the success of his venture. He pestered Father with endless
questions about comparative linguistics. He consulted the Brockhaus and
Efron Encyclopaedia and made copious notes. At school he worried the Latin
master for explanations concerning the numerous rules of Latin syntax, a
fact which amazed the teacher, since -he had no great opinion of Petya's
diligence. Petya sharpened several pencils, got out pen and ink, dusted
Father's desk, and arranged on it Pavlik's globe, his own
twenty-five-powered microscope, and a few thick volumes-all with a view to