Mary by this time was quite willing to leave the subject, but Mrs. Carver was not disposed to do so.
“I don’t know why it is,” said Mary. “I suppose they think she will learn more at public schools.”
“Now I think of it,” said Mrs. Carver, meditatively, “this pencil looks very much like one I saw at Bennett’s the other day.”
The color rushed to Mary’s face in alarm. Her mother did not observe it, but Mrs. Carver did. But she quickly recovered herself.
“Perhaps it was bought there,—I don’t know,” she said.
“She carries it off well,” thought Mrs. Carver. “Never mind, I’ll find out some time.”
Mary made some excuse for leaving the room, and the visitor asked:—
“How is that girl getting along whom your brother left with you?”
Mrs. Merton shook her head.
“She’s turned out badly,” she said.