Lois told her, and Mrs. Marx listened with a judicial air; then observed gravely,
"'Seems to me, there ain't much sense in all that, Lois."
"O, yes, aunt Anne! there is."
"What's the use? What do you want to know more tongues than your own for, to begin with? you can't talk but in one at once. And spending your time in making marks on paper! I believe in girls goin' to school, and gettin' all they can there; but when school is done, then they have something else to see to. I'd rather have you raakin' quilts and gettin' ready to be married; dom' women's work."
"I do my work," said Lois gaily.
"Child, your head's gettin' turned. Mother, do you know the way Madge and Lois are goin' on?"
"I don't understand it," said Mrs. Armadale.
"I understand it. And I'll tell you. I like learning,—nobody better; but I want things kept in their places. And I tell you, if this is let to go on, it'll be like Jack's bean vine, and not stop at the top of the house; and they'll be like Jack, and go after to see, and never come back to common ground any more."
Mrs. Armadale sat looking unenlightened. Madge, who had come in midway of this speech, stood indignant.
"Aunt Anne, that's not like you! You read as much yourself as ever you can; and never can get books enough."