They couldn't help laughing at her, and the laugh brought back good humour.
'I want to be one,' said Master Francis, 'but I'm afraid it costs a great lot to go to college.'
Poor children, through all their talk and plans the one trouble seemed always to keep coming up.
'I fancy that's according a good deal to how young gentlemen take it. There's some that spend a fortune at college, I've heard, but some that are very careful; and I expect you'd be that kind, Master Francis.'
'Yes,' he said, in his grave way. 'I wouldn't want to cost Uncle Hulbert more than I can help. I wish one could be a clergyman without going to college though.'
'You've got to go to school first,' said Miss Bess. 'You needn't bother about college for a long time yet.'
Miss Lally sighed.
'I don't like Francie having to go to school,' she said. 'And the boys are so rough there; I hope they won't hurt your poor leg, Francie.'
'It isn't that I mind,' said Master Francie—the boy had a fine spirit of his own though he was so delicate—'what I mind is the going alone and being so far away from everybody.'
'It's a pity,' I said without thinking, 'but what one of you young ladies had been a young gentleman, to have been a companion for Master Francis, and to have gone to school together, maybe.'