Of course, the news of her escapade and Madame’s anxiety concerning the three absentees from last night’s table had spread through all the forms.
Helen Rhinelander had emphasized the fact that “one must expect such things from a wild Westerner and that for her part, she felt Madame had made a great mistake in admitting such a creature to the Adelphi. Pretty? Well, yes, in a certain way; but no style. Not an atom of style; and style was the one thing neither money nor education could procure. It had to be born in a person,” said Helen, with decision, and all her coterie chirped: “Yes.”
However, Helen was but one, although her influence held many. Also, there may be counter-influences even more powerful than wealth and style. Along with the discussion of last night’s affair was circulated by some braver spirits, the fact that it was the young “Westerner’s” cool sense which had extricated the trio from a most unpleasant position, and that Madame was smiling affectionately upon her, as she now crossed the hall to the seat assigned her.
The smile which Jessica flashed back into that motherly face expressed something of the thought she had had while brushing her hair. At least, Madame, long versed in the study of young girls’ faces so interpreted it; and now she not only smiled again but nodded her white head in approval.
Prayers over, the family marched quietly out to breakfast, that was as liberal in quantity and as faultlessly served as it would have been in some big hostelry. A small matter in itself, some might have said, but a detail of infinite gain in the matter of the Adelphi’s success. Also, an excellent equipment for the day’s study that was to follow. “Healthy bodies make healthy minds” was one of the schoolmistress’s maxims; a maxim nearly always correct.
After breakfast there came a half-hour of recreation, passed usually in the garden or conservatory behind the house. Then a silver bell struck the school hour and each girl filed to her place at her own individual desk in her own form class-room.
This was Jessica’s first glimpse of a time-regulated household, and she was so absorbed in watching the others that she scarcely realized she had been left behind, alone, till a pleasant-faced teacher addressed her:
“Miss Jessica, you are to be my ‘special’ for the present. I am Miss Montaigne. This way, please. We are to have a cosy little spot quite to ourselves, for a time.”
“Good morning. I will try not to give you much trouble, Miss Montaigne, but I am very stupid. I don’t know anything, really.”
“All the more enjoyable then, to learn. I am so fond of study myself that I fancy everybody else must be. Sit here, please.”