There were nine pupils at the time I entered: I made the tenth. Miss Fenton, an English teacher, a French teacher who taught German also, and several day-masters, instructed us. Miss Fenton herself took nothing, that I saw, but the music; she was about five-and-thirty, tall, thin, and very prim.
"You will be well off there, my dear, in regard to living," Mrs. Hemson had said to me. "Miss Fenton tells me her pupils are treated most liberally; and that she keeps an excellent table. Indeed she ought to do so, considering her terms."
Of course I thought I should be treated liberally, and enjoy the benefits of the excellent table.
We got there just before tea time, six o'clock. Mrs. Hemson, acting for my trustees had made the negotiations with Miss Fenton; of course she took me to school, stayed a few minutes with Miss Fenton, and then left me. When my things were off, and I was back in the drawing-room, Miss Fenton rang the bell.
"You shall join the young ladies at once," she said to me; "they are about to take tea. You have never been to school before, I think."
"No, ma'am. Mamma instructed me."
"Have the young ladies gone into the refectory?" Miss Fenton inquired, when a maid-servant appeared.
"I suppose so, ma'am," was the answer. "The bell has been rung for them."
"Desire Miss Linthorn to step hither."
Miss Linthorn appeared, a scholar of fifteen or sixteen, very upright. She made a deep curtsey as she entered. "Take this young lady and introduce her," said Miss Fenton. "Her name is Hereford."