I was spared the difficulty of answering this comprehensive question by my pupil elect, who by this time had sidled close up to me, and was looking intently in my face. 'You an't the governess your own self? Are you?' said she.
'I hope I shall be so, my dear.'
'I thought you had been an ugly cross old thing! You an't cross. Are you?'
'No. I do not think I am.'
'I dare say you are very funny and good-natured.'
Mrs Boswell gave me a glance which she intended should express sly satisfaction. 'You would like to larn music and every thing of that pretty lady, wouldn't you?' said she to her daughter.
'No. I would never like to larn nothing at all; but I should like her to stay with me, if she would play with me, and never bother me with that nasty spelling-book.'
'Well, she shan't bother you. Miss Percy, what terms do you expect?'
'These I leave entirely to you and Mr Boswell, madam. Respectable protection is the more important consideration with me.'
'To be sure protection is very important,' said Mrs Boswell, once more elongating her mouth; and she made a pause of at least five minutes, to recruit after such an unusual expense of idea. This time I employed in making my court so effectually to the young lady, that when her mother at last mentioned the time of my removal to George Square, she became clamorous for my returning that evening. A new set of stratagems was vainly tried to quiet my obstreperous inviter; and then mamma, as usual, gave up the point. 'Pray come to-night, if you can,' said she, 'or there will be no peace.'