in a tangled web; all the more since Aunt Jane had become thoroughly interested in the Wh

er. In fact, he was most anxious to retain Theodore, to be trained for a pupil-teacher, the best testimony to his value! Aunt Jane came home full of the subject, relating what the ma

lmaster could own any such thing, the pupil knew more than the teacher. Whe

deur of its being found that she was the youth's helper. 'I

he had not gone far in Greek, his inquiries were searching, and explaining to him was a different thing from satisfying even Mr. Pollock. Besides, Gillian had her own studies

all Alexis's Greek exercises and translations beforehand, and of being able to satisfy him why an error was not right, for, in all politeness, he always would know why it did

w she envied any one who had not to work double tides at the book of Caesar that was to be taken up, and Vercingetorix a

udied him for love of himsel

off her hands, when she was interrupted in researches after an idiom in St. John's Gospel by the sigh that this abominable dictionary had

a book for beginners in Latin, and, moreover, a very unkind one; and she fully reciprocated the sentimen

one, 'How can you be so stupid?' 'I told you so long ago'; and sometimes consisted of a gabbling translation, with rapidly pointed finger, very hard to follow

d them without dire necessity, and besides, there was always an uncertain

business girls' had confessed to Miss White's counsel having only jus

y you have not her

ve her a member for the sake of example; but if not, she would be a valuable associate. Could not you explain this to her

should have been so pleasant to her w

would be of no great use to call on her in the nest of the Queen of the

at she refused, and of course her offic

efore she goes home,' sugges

en come away' exclaimed Aunt Ada, making the colour so rush

r there at five o'clock, and go to Tideshole to take old

with me,' murmured the

have said, 'I have several times been at the office,' would have been a happy clearance of the ground, but her pride would not bend to pos

when once Aunt Jane get into the very fishy hamlet of Tideshole, which l

er were tim

snow or Jul

te to elude her, knowing that her aunt would certainly not take her on to Tideshole, and that there would be no comfort in talking before her; but it was a new thing to have to regard her little sister in the light of a spy, and again she had to reaso

ice through the showroom, exchanging greetings with the young

nds, Miss

n to Tideshole. She tells me that you will be kind enough to se

as well as tongue, and no sooner were she and G

un knows! You

N

. 'I was alarmed when she came in, and then so

s Miss Merrifield, and I won't be so before my time,' said G

the shock her entrance gave to me proved all t

you, Kally, and wants you more than ever to be a Friendly Girl, bec

ething about it,' said

id not make you understand the rights of it, not

ather always warned us against; only poor mamma always gets vexed if she does not think we are keeping ourselve

would have been no difficulty. Half a year ago the Flights had seemed to the young Whites angelic and infallible, and perhaps expectations had been founded on their patronage; but there had since been a shadow of disappointment

the ladies, above all, the showing them that it was possible to have variety and amusement free from vulgar and perilous dissipation; but still she hesitated. She had no time, she said; she could not attend classes, and she was absol

ad not been mistaken at first; but, Miss Mer

What do

nwilling to speak,

e than I deserve, when-Oh! excuse me-I know it is all your kin

life,' said Gillian, in proud anger; 'but if you think s

her eyes, 'as if it might be better s

, and like to upset al

your kindness, indeed I don't; but I cannot be happy about it while M

Alexis must come to Beechcroft, and all the comfort would be over, and it would be gossiped about all over the place. Ca

half convinced,

here is a letter from Lady Merrifield,

r. What am I to say to my aunt

g at what she might not like. Indeed, I cannot. I beg your pardon, but i

-way through December, and you know they could telegraph if

e would think about it and give her answer at Christmas; to which she gave a reluctant assent, with one more p

front of the works, and Fergus, being as usual full of questions about a crane that was swinging blocks of stone into a vessel close

ry cheerfully, though Gillian was still much vexed und

year. Plans began to prevail for the Christmas diversions and entertainments, but the young Merrifields expected to have nothing to do with these, as they were to meet the rest of the family at their eldest uncle's house at Beechcroft; all except Harry, who was to be ordained in the Advent Ember week

e supervision which she imagined herself to suffer from, because she had set herself to shirk it.

beastly

s not a thing to s

ame not to go to Beechcroft, and

Primrose has got t

he whoopi

ou would find it bo

ed, and to ride the pony, and see t

t if you had

oming back to school! I say it is horr

here put in Gillian,

in that way,' added Valetta, 'though

n't know what is worth doi

s like having to stay here and lose our holiday; but it is very improper t

thing or two, but

is always t

while this colloquy was ending in the dining-room; 'it is much better to be bullied by a broth

ow you are very kind,

y much obliged to you for standing up for us. It is a great disappointme

e handed him a note, which he pulled open and then burst out, 'Cousin

ed you?' demanded both his

hope"-hurrah-"Harry, mm-mm-mm-brothers, 20th mm

to you,' volun

't you

u can't read it yourself. You don'

aps peruse the letter, while Valetta rushed after him, whe

e says that he and Harry can put up all the three boys between them, an

him,' said Gillian

ill be ve

ck,' said Aunt Jane, smiling; 'but it is rather dreary for you, my dear. I had been ho

late that he would only just be able to reach Coalham before Christmas Day. Harry was to be ordained in a fortnigh

ian, as a hungry yearning for Jasper

pathetically; 'but I am afraid you must

an to grumble. It can't be h

'how I hate being told I am very kind! It just means, "You are a no

! But it is very inconvenient and unlucky that that unjustifiable mother should have sent her c

te enough for her, and Lily is well out of it; but Fly is a little s

p in her. Poor dear fellow, I h

have it the most lightly. But I am sorry for Gillian, tho

the way, as he might have set on the aunts to put a stop to her proceedings. Of Mysie's sympathy she was sure, yet she would have her scruples about the aunts, and she was a sturdy person, hard to answer-poor Mysie, whooping away helplessly in the schoolroom at Rotherwood! Gillian felt herself heroically good-humoured and resigned. Moreover, here was the Indian letter so long looked for, likely by its date to be an answer to the information as to Alexis White's studies. Behold, it did not appear to touch on the subject at all! It was all about prepa

two "young men" think it probable you will have invitations from their kith and kin. If this comes to pass

istaste to new people, was not altogether sorry to receive a couple of notes b

LESTON

Dec

always have a family gathering at Christmas between this house and the Vicarage, and we much hope that you and your brother will join it. Could you not meet my siste

U. HAR

r letter

N, 10th

to ask you to spend a Christmas Day among new people, and I hope we may make you feel at home with us, and that you will enjoy our beautiful church at Vale Leston. We are so many that we may be less alarming if you take us by driblets, so perhaps it will be the best way if you will come up to us on the 18th or 19th, and go down

INE GR

ere Jasper would meet them at the station, and put the little boy into the tr

with Mr. and Mrs. Grinstead to Vale Leston, and they were to take care to pay their res

ster for the rest of the holidays. Valetta must remain there, and it did not seem greatly to distress her; and whereas nothing had been said about children, she was bett

the entire question of lessons, confessions, and G.F.S. for six whole weeks. She might get a more definite answer from her parents, or something mig