"Mr. Wharncliffe," said Matilda suddenly making up her mind, "it is very hard not to want to be fashionable."
"I don't know that there is any harm in being fashionable," said her teacher quietly. But though his face was quiet, it was so strong and good that Matilda felt great reliance on all it said.
"Isn't there?" she asked quite eagerly.
"Why should there be?"
"But—it costs so much!" Matilda could not help confessing it.
"To be fashionable?"
"Yes, sir."
"You do not dress yourself, I suppose. The money is not your money, is it?"
"Yes, sir, some of it is my money; because I have an allowance, and get my own shoes and gloves."
"And you find it costs a great deal to be fashionable?"