"I have never known one on whose word I could depend," insisted Judy.
"My father says he has known one," I interjected.
"A sad confirmation of Mrs. Morley," said Miss Clare. "But for my part I know very few persons in any rank on whose representation of things I could absolutely depend. Truth is the highest virtue, and seldom grows wild. It is difficult to speak the truth, and those who have tried it longest best know how difficult it is. Servants need to be taught that as well as everybody else."
"There is nothing they resent so much as being taught," said Judy.
"Perhaps: they are very far from docile; and I believe it is of little use to attempt giving them direct lessons."
"How, then, are you to teach them?"
"By making it very plain to them, but without calling their attention to it, that you speak the truth. In the course of a few years they may come to tell a lie or two the less for that."
"Not a very hopeful prospect," said Judy.
"Not a very rapid improvement," said her husband.
"I look for no rapid improvement, so early in a history as the supposition implies," said Miss Clare.