"I dare say she will do better in a new place," observed Aunt Christian. "A change of scene and circumstances often works wonders. Marion seems to me to be bright enough."
"Miss Oliver says that is not the trouble; she says Marion will not work."
"Perhaps she is a little unjust. Teachers do sometimes take dislikes to particular scholars, there is no denying that. I know Miss Parsons did to me."
"Yes, because you would ask inconvenient questions, which she could not answer. I don't think that Miss Oliver is prejudiced against Marion, however; she seemed to regret her conduct very much."
"It is only natural that Marion should like the prospect of a change," said Miss Baby. "I don't blame her for it at all. I suppose I have waited on her and indulged her more than I ought. I am afraid Eiley may do the same thing."
"The little fellow they had with them in New York seemed to be in excellent order, I thought," remarked Doctor Campbell; "I should say Van Alstine was not a man to be trifled with. He looks to me as if he might rule with a pretty firm hand, and be rather alarming if one rebelled. How many children are there?"
"Four or five boys at home and one married, besides a daughter who is married to his partner, Mr. Overbeck."
"She is not his own, I believe, but either an adopted child or a step-daughter," said Miss Baby; "she always calls Eiley 'Mother,' and Eiley seems to like her very much. Fancy our Eiley being called grandmother by a great girl fourteen years old!"
"I felt badly when I heard of Eiley's second marriage, but it has certainly turned out very well, much better than her first unlucky venture," observed Christian. "I see Marion has very exalted ideas of her father. What has become of all the poor man's pictures?"
"They are all put away in the garret and locked up," answered Miss Barbara. "I could not have them round; they were too dreadful. It seemed the kindest thing to put them out of sight and out of mind."