And my love for Maimie was of such a nature that I could bear to see her succeed where I had failed, without even a temptation to jealousy.
“There’s one thing more,” she said slowly. “Jack, you must see your Mr. Morison to-morrow, and tell him you are sorry not to have done better, and beg for one more fair trial. Tell him you are going to make a fresh start, and really and truly to do your very best.”
“Well,—I will,” Jack said, though he did not look at all delighted with this last advice.
“And, Aunt Marion,” pursued Maimie,—“I want to ask something else of you. May I in a few days help with the boys’ lessons,—Bob and Ted’s, I mean? I should so like it. If you would only let me, I might take them quite off your hands. And that would leave you so much more time for other things. May I be your little governess? May I just try?”
I do not know exactly what answer I made at the moment; but before long this arrangement came to pass. The relief to myself was not small. I think I disliked teaching as much as Maimie disliked needlework. It soon became a settled thing that Maimie should give the two little boys their daily lessons, and should help Jack every evening with his studies.
[CHAPTER XIII.]
THE YOUNG TEACHER.
ONE day, about four months after the visit which Robert and I had paid to “The Gables,” I was astonished to see a fly drive up to our door, and Aunt Briscoe descend from it.
She came slowly up the steps and into the house, panting a little, as she was given to doing. She had on a black silk dress, and a very handsome mantle, and a queer old-fashioned bonnet. Cherry had run to open the door, and I went quickly into the hall after Cherry.
“How do you do, niece Marion?” Aunt Briscoe said, in a short way.