"Is that essential?" asked her father, smiling.
"Yes, for you know she will be with me most of the time. If she is like Julia Campbell's governess, I sha'n't like her."
"Well, and what fault do you find with Julia Campbell's governess?" asked Mr. Bowman, with more interest than his tone conveyed; for he knew that if Bert did not fancy her governess she would be a most incorrigible little rebel, and would be likely to profit very little by her instructions.
"Oh, she's as disagreeable as she can be. In the first place, she's an old maid,—not that that's so very bad. In fact, I've about made up my mind to be an old maid myself."
"Indeed!" said Mr. Bowman, amused. "May I inquire your reasons?"
"Too numerous to mention."
"Perhaps one is, that you don't expect to have any chance to change your name."
"I have had a chance already," said Bert, in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Had a chance already!" exclaimed her father, in amazement.