“From inability to understand him, ma’am.”
“I could understand every question. Rebecca, could not you!”
“Every word, sister. I thought Mr Barracombe singularly clear and perspicuous. The very model of a school inspector.”
Hazel bowed.
“I shall try very hard to make them more ready in their answers by another time,” she said with humility.
“I hope you will, I am sure, Miss Thorne,” said Beatrice, “for it must have been very painful to you, even as it is to us, to know that you have had a bad report of your school. May we—do you object to our taking a class each for a very little while?”
“Which class would you like, ma’am?” said Hazel gravely, in reply.
“Oh, whichever you please, Miss Thorne; we never like interfering between the mistress and her pupils, and wish to be of help so as to get the children on—do we not, Rebecca?”
“Decidedly, Beatrice. To help you. Miss Thorne: certainly not to usurp your position. I thought if we could take a class for you now and then in Scripture history it might be useful to you. Perhaps—I say it with all deference. Miss Thorne, to one who has been trained—you are not so strong in Scripture history as we are.”
“I feel my weakness in many subjects, Miss Lambent,” replied Hazel.