“Mag, don’t be so silly.”
“I can’t see it. They would benefit by your improved health and spirits. Jan and I are new women since we have learned riding. I am thinking of telling the governor I must have a rise to meet the increased demands of my appetite. Our housekeeping expenses I shall say are doubled. What will you? Que faire?”
“You see the work I’m doing is not worth more than a pound a week—my languages are no good there. I suppose I ought to learn typing and shorthand; but where could I find the money for the training?”
“Will you teach her shorthand if I teach her typing?”
“Certainly if the child wants to learn. I don’t advise her.”
“Why not Jan. You did. How long would it take me in evenings?”
“A year at least, to be marketable. It’s a vile thing to learn, unless you are thoroughly stupid.”
“That’s true. Jan was a perfect fool. The more intelligent you are the longer you take.”
“You see it isn’t a language. It is an arbitrary system of signs.”
“With your intelligence you’d probably grow grey at the school. Wouldn’t she, Jan?”