‘Perhaps things will be altered by that time.’
‘Oh no. There will be no retrograde movement. Highly educated women have acquired such a footing that they may do what they please.’
‘Are we highly educated women?’ asked Maria.
‘I am sure you ought to be, my dear. Nothing was grudged for your education,’ said her mother.
‘Well, then, I’ll always play at bagatelle, and have a German band at the door,’ quoth Maria, conclusively.
‘Did you go to St. Matthew’s?’ again interrupted Phœbe.
‘Yes, Bevil took me. It is the oddest place. A white brick wall with a red cross built into it over the gate, and the threshold is just a step back four or five hundred years. A court with buildings all round, church, schools, and the curates’ rooms. Such a sitting-room; the floor matted, and a great oak table, with benches, where they all dine, schoolmaster, and orphan boys, and all, and the best boy out of each class.’
‘It is a common room, like one at a college,’ explained Phœbe. ‘Robert has his own rooms besides.’
‘Such a hole!’ continued Bertha. ‘It is the worst of all the curates’ sitting-rooms, looking out into the nastiest little alley. It was a shame he did not have the first choice, when it is all his own.’
‘Perhaps that is the reason he took the worst,’ said Phœbe.