Mortified at the discovery, Miss Vincent hastened to the school-room, her face flushed with vexation; and as she rushed past Miss Damer, who was standing near the door, exclaimed, “go out of my way, can’t you?”
“Certainly! But what has alarmed you so?”
Jane now entered the room; and Miss Russel, who had been leaning through the window, hastily turned to Miss Vincent, and exclaimed, “I do believe, Caroline, there is a coronet upon the carriage! but I cannot make out either the strawberry leaves or the balls.” Jane mildly reproved her for leaning through the window, contrary to the rules of the school.
The moment she had quitted the room Miss Russel exclaimed, “These teachers give themselves strange airs!”
“You should speak with more respect of Mrs. Adair’s daughter, I think,” said Miss Damer; “excepting in fortune, Miss Jane Adair is superior to any person here.”
“But you will allow that she is a teacher, I hope.”
“And does it lessen her merit? If any particular class of females are worthy of respect, surely ladies who instruct young people are entitled to it; they are the guardians of morals and of manners. But in every school there are one or two ungrateful ones.”
“Hear the oracle!” cried Miss Vincent. “Another Daniel come to judgment!”
“Rude manners and loud words do not intimidate me,” said Miss Damer, with modest firmness. “I again repeat, that a person who can instruct us in any one branch of education is entitled to—”
“What?” asked Miss Vincent imperiously.