Her pupils increased so, that in a short time, she had twelve, besides several for accomplishments but the Misses Falkner, for reasons best known to themselves, declined her future instructions, and just as she was preparing to go to them a day or two after being, so cavalierly dismissed, Mrs. Falkner was announced at the cottage. She came, she said, to pay the bill, and say her daughters would discontinue their lessons:
"Of course," she said, "you will only charge for the time you actually came to them."
Helen quietly replied, "that she should certainly expect the quarter they had commenced, to be paid for." She knew they could afford it, and she felt it due to those she laboured for, not to throw away one penny.
"Well," said Mrs. Falkner, "this comes of patronizing nobody knows who, it is just what one might expect."
"Madam," said Helen, her colour rising as she spoke, "had you thought proper to have done so, you might have known who I was."
"I think," said the unfeeling woman, "as Julia's quarter is up, I shall keep her at home too, for the present."
"As you think proper," said the agitated girl.
"Well, well, you are mighty high, I think, for a person obliged to work for her bread. You are come down pretty low, and may——"
"Hold!" said Helen, "let me intreat you, Mrs. Falkner, to desist these cruel taunts. God has been pleased to place me in my present position; and it is, with thankfulness, nay, with pride, I exert the talents he has given me for the support of myself and the dear children, he has committed to my care. Poverty, madam, may try us, and that severely; but while we act rightly, it can never degrade us, but in the eyes of those, unfeeling as yourself."
"Mighty fine and heroic, to be sure! Is it not a pity Mr. Mortimer isn't hidden somewhere to hear you, as he was when you sung, and pretended not to know he was listening. He could see through it, though, as well as we did; and let, me tell you, artful as you are, that he is not a bird to be caught with chaff. But there's your money, so give me a receipt." This, she no sooner received than off she started.