"Mrs. Powle will do that, unless I contrive to disturb the action of her free agency; but I think I shall plunge into the question of reform, Eleanor. Speaking of that, how much reformation has been effected by these Ragged institutions?"
"Very much; and they are only as it were beginning, you must remember."
"Room for amendment still," said Mr. Carlisle. "I never saw such a disorderly set of scholars in my life before. How do you find an occasional somersault helps a boy's understanding of his lesson?"
"Those things were constant at first; not occasional," said Eleanor smiling; "somersaults, and leaping over the forms, and shouts and catcalls, and all manner of uproarious behaviour. That was before I ever knew them. But now, think of that boy's washed face!"
"That was the most partial reformation I ever saw rejoiced in," said
Mr. Carlisle.
"It gives hope of everything else, though. You have no idea what a bond that community of dirt is. But there are plenty of statistics, if you want those, Mr. Carlisle. I can give you enough of them; shewing what has been done."
"Will you shew them to me to-night?"
"To-night? it is Sunday. No, but to-morrow night, Mr. Carlisle; or any other time."
"Eleanor, you are very strict!"
"Not at all. That is not strictness; but Sunday is too good to waste upon statistics."