“When did we fix the hours of study for the children, Miss Harper?”
“On the day before yesterday, ma’am,” replied Florence, in a calm, respectful voice.
“I never had any thing to say to you on the subject!” Mrs. Dainty lost temper, and, of course, dignity and self-respect.
“Was not ten o’clock mentioned by you as the hour when it would be best to commence the lessons?” inquired Florence.
“If it was, that doesn’t mean fixing all the hours of study!”
“You said you wished Agnes to begin with French,” said Florence, quietly.
“Well, suppose I did: what then?”
“Only, that I understood you to mean that you wished her to let French constitute her first lesson as most important. You will, no doubt, remember that I approved this, as her mind would always come fresh to the study.”
“Approved!” Mrs. Dainty could not repress this manifestation of contempt.
“You will also remember, that you spoke of the hour from twelve to one as most suitable for music.”