"Amy is only five now, and for some years to come I think of teaching her myself." The present tense this time, for she was on her mettle. "You know we were very thoroughly grounded by Miss Cox."
"That is a long time ago, Lucretia!"
"Yes, it is a long time, but I suppose the principles of grammar and arithmetic are the same, and I have not forgotten how to read!"
It surprised Mrs. Dalrymple to see her sister pluck up so much spirit, but this defiant attitude did not affect her. There was in her such a certainty of being in the right, and of causing the right to prevail, that she was able to take all Lucretia's opposition very quietly. It was obstinate of her sister to hold out like this—weak people always were obstinate—and it was extremely foolish, but her surrender was only a matter of time.
Lucretia went on talking, urging her suit in a way that would have struck some people as pathetic, but Constantia was not much given to seeing the pathos in life; her view of things in general was optimistic, and unless a sorrow was thrust before her she did not look at it.
Constantia let Lucretia talk on until she naturally ceased, after repeating herself a good many times, in the way that peculiarly weakens a cause. Then she brought up her reserve force.
"But do you think it would be good for the child to be by herself, just with you and old Fanny?"
Fanny was ten years younger than her mistress, and Lucretia realised how very old fifty-nine must be.
Constantia paused a moment. Then she went on to point out all the drawbacks of a bringing-up such as Amy must have with two old maids—not using the term, but dwelling on the characteristics implied in it.