Elixir Read Online Free

Elixir
Book: Elixir Read Online Free
Author: Eric Walters
Pages:
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didn’t want to do this.
    â€œPlease proceed.”
    I didn’t feel I had any choice. He looked so grave and stern, staring at me through his glasses. “A … c … h … e …”
    â€œSorry, that is not correct,” he said very formally, and I felt my heart fall. “But,” he said, “I’ll tell you how you can spell it correctly from now on.”
    â€œYou can?”
    â€œIt’s simple, once you know the trick. Do you want to know the trick?”
    I nodded my head. “Please.”
    â€œAll you have to do is remember a little rhyme—i before e except after c.”
    â€œI before e …”
    â€œExcept after c,” he repeated. “Now try spelling achievement again.”
    I took a deep breath. “A … c … h … i … e … v … e … m … e … n … t.”
    â€œCorrect!” he yelled, and I felt like jumping up from my seat. “Just remember the rhyme and you’ll never have trouble with words like that.”
    â€œThank you so much.”
    â€œThat will make it a little bit easier, although try to remember that spelling words correctly isn’t as important as the manner in which you put those words together.”
    I didn’t understand what he meant, and I think my expression must have shown it.
    â€œI know many wonderful spellers who aren’t very good thinkers,” he explained. “It’s better to think wellthan to spell well. I used to struggle so much over my spelling, and my mother didn’t understand. She used to tell me that if I didn’t spend so much time sketching and drawing, I’d have more time to learn my spelling words, but I knew that even if I worked twenty-four hours a day—”
    â€œIt still wouldn’t make a difference,” I said, completing his sentence once again.
    â€œYou are obviously a very smart young girl,” he said. He smiled and I smiled back. “And quite frankly, in the long run the love of art has been more valuable to me than the ability to spell.”
    â€œDo you still draw?” I asked. I loved doodling little pictures on the margins of my workbooks.
    â€œI paint,” he said. “Oils. I’d love nothing better than to be out in the country painting today, instead of toiling in this steamy city. But, alas, that’s not to be. I have to do my work, and apparently you have to do yours.”
    â€œMy mother said if I want to become a doctor, I have to be good at spelling,” I said.
    â€œYou want to be a doctor?”
    â€œI guess … maybe.” To be honest I’d never given it much thought. “I might be a doctor or a nurse.”
    â€œBoth excellent professions. You are offered the opportunity to help your fellow man … and woman. And, while I certainly don’t mean to contradict your mother, I know of at least one person who managed to become a doctor despite his limitations in spelling.”
    â€œYou do?” I asked.
    He nodded. “Me.”
    â€œYou’re a doctor?”
    â€œA surgeon … but it was poor manners for me not to formally introduce myself.” He held out his hand. “I am Dr. Banting … Fred Banting.”
    I took his hand. “I am pleased to meet you, sir. My name is Ruth Williams.”
    â€œIt is an honour to meet you, Miss Williams,” he said as he bowed. “It is excellent that your mother wishes you to pursue a career. Many women assume their daughters will simply marry and have no need for an education.”
    â€œMy mother doesn’t think that.”
    There was the sound of somebody clearing her throat. I looked up. My mother was standing there, a scowl on her face. I knew she wouldn’t be happy about me talking to a stranger.
    â€œAnd you must be Mrs. Williams,” Dr. Banting said. He stepped forward and offered his hand, which she took. “I am Dr. Frederick Banting, and your
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