Aunt Judith: The Story of a Loving Life

Girls, girls, I've news for you! cried Winnifred Blake, entering the school-room and surveying the faces of her school-mates with great eagerness.
Luncheon hour was almost over, and the pupils belonging to Mrs. Elder's Select Establishment for Young Ladies were gathered together in the large school-room, some enjoying a merry chat, others, more studiously inclined, conning over a forthcoming lesson.
Give us the benefit of your news quickly, Winnie, said Ada Irvine, looking round from her snug seat on the broad window-ledge; surely we must be going to hear something wonderful when you are so excited; and the girl eyed her animated school-fellow half scornfully.
A new pupil is coming, announced Winnie with an air of great solemnity. Be patient, my friends, and I'll tell you how I know. Dinner being earlier to-day, I managed to get back to school sooner than usual, and was just crossing the hall to join you all in the school-room, when the drawing-room door opened, and Mrs. Elder appeared, accompanied by a lady in a long loose cloak and huge bonnet—regular coal-scuttle affair, girls; so large, in fact, that it was quite impossible to get a glimpse of her face. Mrs. Elder was saying as I passed, 'I shall expect your niece to-morrow morning, Miss Latimer, at nine o'clock; and trust she will prosecute her studies with all diligence, and prove a credit to the school.' Winnie mimicked the lady-principal's soft, plausible voice as she spoke.
A new pupil! remarked Ada once more, her voice raised in supreme contempt; really, Winnie, I fail to understand your excitement over such a trifle. Why, she may be a green-grocer's daughter for all you know to the contrary; and the speaker's dainty nose was turned up with a gesture of infinite scorn.
Well, and what then, Miss Conceit? retorted Winnie, flushing angrily at her school-mate's contemptuous tone; I presume a green-grocer's daughter is not exempted from possessing the same talented abilities which characterize your charming self.