"Well, you must be just as careful about that here," said
Elizabeth. "I love truth as well as she did."
"All kinds?" said the girl.
Elizabeth looked at her, with a mouthful of answer which she did not dare to bring out. Nothing was to be made of Clam's face, except that infallible air of capacity. There was no sign of impertinent meaning.
"You look as if you could learn," she said.
"Been learnin' ever since I was big enough," said the black girl. And she looked so.
"Are you willing to learn?"
"Like nothin' better."
"Provided it's the right kind, I suppose," said Elizabeth, wholly unable to prevent her features giving way a little at the unshakable coolness and spirit she had to do with. Clam's face relaxed in answer, after a different manner from any it had taken during the interview; and she said,
"Well, I'll try. Mr. Winthrop said I was to be good; and I ain't a goin' to do nothin' to displease him, anyhow!"
"But the matter is rather to please me, here," said Elizabeth.