"What is the matter, aunty?" asked she, eagerly.
"And so you, young, silly thing, are going to leave your friends and go off with these strangers, that will treat you nobody knows how. Annie! Annie! does Parson Grey approve of this?"
"Yes, aunty; he thinks it will be a fine opportunity for me to see something of the world, and learn the arts and graces of polite society."
"Ah! but these great, rich folks are often unkind and overbearing, and oppress and treat with slight and scorn their dependents."
"O, Mr. Grey knows this family well, and recommends them in the highest terms."
"Well, for all that, I can't bear the thought of losing you. So young and ignorant."
"Ignorant, aunty? Why, Dr. Prague himself says I know twice as much as his daughter Kate."
"Ah! book-learnin' enough; but I will tell you, Annie, a little experience is better than all your books."
"Well, how am I to obtain experience but by mingling in the world, and learning its manners and customs?"
"Ah, dear! I fear you will find this world, you are so anxious to see and know, is a hard, rough place."