12-30-2021, 07:38 PM
Gwen's eyes widened when he admitted that he had taught himself. It was impressive that he could keep all the pinpricks of light straight in his head but to have taught himself - to have not had a guide in the pursuit of his knowledge - that made it all the more impressive. She wasn't quite certain who Alfred the Great was but she made another surprised face when he mentioned it, just so he thought that she understood the momentous find he had located in his search for knowledge.
"I am sure you will have more than a few," Gwen reassured. "But as Godric says, even if you reach just one and it helps them someday in the future, then you have made a difference."
At least, that was what he told Gifford every time a new expense came up that her eldest brother had to approve. This was needed or that was needed; he had to put in his fair share. But to reach one student, to save the life of one, to make a better life for many - it was worth everything, wasn't it? And Gifford had grudgingly agreed, for the most part. And he was sending his eldest son to show support for his brother's endeavor so that was better than what the Duke of Wessex had said (threatened) initially when the idea had first come up.
When he brought up her own subject, she nodded in agreement. Then realized she looked like a fool, just nodding her head and not saying anything. "Yes, that would be the area I excel at. My skills in many areas lack but I have been teaching people to read and write...well, since I was capable of doing it myself actually. I used to teach the village children when their parents would let me. And anyone else who would show up to learn. It just seems like the world is a much better place when we can all communicate with each other through the written word.
"Talking is good though. Very good! I just like the sight of words on a fresh piece of parchment, seeing the first strokes of a fine plumed quill. And the smell of ink..." She sighed dreamily. "I could sit and watch them make ink all day - and there has been more than one day where I tried to do exactly that. I now know how to make my own - and I do. I thought it was the least I could do for the school, as not all the children will need to learn to read and write but they will all need ink!"
"I am sure you will have more than a few," Gwen reassured. "But as Godric says, even if you reach just one and it helps them someday in the future, then you have made a difference."
At least, that was what he told Gifford every time a new expense came up that her eldest brother had to approve. This was needed or that was needed; he had to put in his fair share. But to reach one student, to save the life of one, to make a better life for many - it was worth everything, wasn't it? And Gifford had grudgingly agreed, for the most part. And he was sending his eldest son to show support for his brother's endeavor so that was better than what the Duke of Wessex had said (threatened) initially when the idea had first come up.
When he brought up her own subject, she nodded in agreement. Then realized she looked like a fool, just nodding her head and not saying anything. "Yes, that would be the area I excel at. My skills in many areas lack but I have been teaching people to read and write...well, since I was capable of doing it myself actually. I used to teach the village children when their parents would let me. And anyone else who would show up to learn. It just seems like the world is a much better place when we can all communicate with each other through the written word.
"Talking is good though. Very good! I just like the sight of words on a fresh piece of parchment, seeing the first strokes of a fine plumed quill. And the smell of ink..." She sighed dreamily. "I could sit and watch them make ink all day - and there has been more than one day where I tried to do exactly that. I now know how to make my own - and I do. I thought it was the least I could do for the school, as not all the children will need to learn to read and write but they will all need ink!"
