"I must watch that child," she said to herself. "I fancy she studies too hard. I think she must drop something after holidays, if she is not better. Poor child, she has never been in school before, and I dare say she finds it hard to keep up."
Her mind was diverted from these reflections, by seeing Mr. Fletcher approaching with the new French teacher. Mr. Hugo was so much like other Frenchmen that it would be difficult to describe him particularly. He had black hair and black eyes, he had a large mustache and no whiskers, and he was dressed elegantly but plainly in black. His manners were polished and his address unexceptionable, though there was an expression of constant watchfulness about him, which was not always pleasant, as it gave one the idea that he was always suspecting the approach of an enemy.
On the whole, however, Mrs. Pomeroy felt very well pleased with the new master, especially as his accent was undeniably perfect, as even Mademoiselle allowed. As Bella had prophecied, nearly all the French pupils were presented to him. On being introduced to Delia, he bowed, said he had the pleasure of numbering her among his former pupils, and inquired after her family and her studies in a half paternal way which might well have removed Mrs. Pomeroy's suspicions, had she happened to entertain any. Delia on her part was quite composed and placid, and Emily's wonder was renewed by the calm, half indifferent manner in which she answered Mrs. Pomeroy's inquiries as to her former acquaintance with Mr. Hugo.
The French pupils were unanimous in his praise, all but poor Annette, who had kept most carefully out of his sight all the evening, and who declared that she should never dare to open her mouth before him.
"So much the better," said Bella Faushane. "You can keep it shut and talk through your nose. Don't you know how often Mademoiselle tells us that a correct rendering of the nasal sounds, is essential to the beauty of French pronunciation?"
"For shame, Bella," said Lucy. "You ought not to tease the poor girl so. I dare say she will speak French as well as any of us, after a while."
"Ah, well, Lucy, there is nothing like having faith," returned Bella. "But Annette does not mind my laughing at her a little, do you dear?"
"No, no," said Annette slowly, "because you are so good to me in other ways; but really and truly, Bella, I don't think you would like it yourself, sometimes."
"You are a dear good girl, and I wont tease you another bit, till after holidays. Do see what heaps of things Mrs. Pomeroy has got for Kitty. I don't believe there is another person who has as many, unless it is Mr. Fletcher. See, he has got his dog tied into his button hole. The Queen of Sheba has fared pretty well, too. How handsome she looks in that pretty red scarf; but her things are nothing to Kitty's."
Kitty had indeed been bountifully remembered, and there seemed some fears lest she should be thrown into serious embarrassment, how to bestow her goods. Emily's present of a warm knitted shawl, was particularly admired, and it was indeed beautiful both in material and workmanship.