"Out of my studies, and teachers, and governesses. I must go now in two minutes."
"No you must not. Sit down; I want to see you. Are you remembering what we have learnt together?"
"Sometimes—and sometimes it is hard, you see. Everything is so scratchy. O Eleanor, are you going to marry Mr. Carlisle?"
"No. I told you I was not."
"Everybody says you are, though. Are you sure you are not?"
"Quite sure."
"I almost wish you were; and then things would go smooth again."
"What do you mean by their being 'scratchy'? that is a new word."
"Well, everything goes cross. I am in ever so many dictionaries besides English—and shut up to learn 'em—and mamma don't care what becomes of me if she can only keep me from you; and I don't know what you are doing; and I wish we were all home again!"
Eleanor sighed.