Janet looked both sulky and scornful, and her mother continued—
“It is not as if we had not modern books, and I think I know how to read them so as to be useful to you.”
“I don’t like getting behindhand with the world.”
“You can’t keep up even with the world without a sound foundation. Besides, even if it were more desirable, the Rays cannot afford to keep you, nor I to board you there.”
“I am to pay them by helping Miss Ray in her copying.”
“Poor Miss Ray!” exclaimed Carey, laughing. “Does she know your handwriting?”
“You do not know what I can do,” said Janet, with dignity.
“Yes, I hope to see it for myself, for you must put this notion of going to London out of your head. I am sure Miss Ray did not give the invitation—no, nor second it. Did she, Janet?”
Janet blushed a little, and muttered something about Miss Ray being afraid of stuck-up people.
“I thought so! She is a good, sensible person, whom grandmamma esteemed very much; but she has never been able to keep her sister in order; and as to trusting you to their care, or letting you live in their set, neither papa nor grandmamma would ever have thought of it.”