"You are very happy with Mrs. Tremaine, are you not?"
"Yes, indeed," answered Therese, earnestly. "No girl could have a better home, and then it is such a chance for me. Grandfather says I shall be very much to blame if I don't improve it."
"What do you mean by 'a chance'?" asked Marion. "What sort of 'a chance'?"
"Such a chance to learn," answered Therese. "Mrs. Tremaine gives me time to learn my lessons every day, and hears me say them herself. There are not many girls who have a better teacher than she is—not even Miss Oliver's girls, for as high as they hold their heads," concluded Therese, laughing. "You know Matty McRae says that Miss Oliver's girls are stuck-up to the skies."
"But what do you study?"
"Grammar one day and arithmetic the next. Then I read aloud both French and English, and write exercises when I have time. So, you see, I am getting on famously, and I am quite right in saying that very few girls have such a chance."
For a moment Marion remembered her own words about never having "a chance" with something like a pang of conscience.
"You must have to work very hard, do you not?" said she.
"Oh no, not so very; but I shall not have so much to do now Miss Crocker is going away. Oh dear! I do hope she will get well."
"Father says she has been very foolish—" Lizzy began; but Marion interrupted her: