CHAPTER XVII.
The Sunday after the funeral, the young ladies appeared at church, with very serious and sorrowful countenances; and afterwards, with Miss Arden and Miss Damer, Jane was often a subject of conversation: they loved to recall her to remembrance; and the proofs she had left of her regard were particularly prized by them.
But serious impressions seldom remain long upon the minds of very young people. Miss Bruce was almost the first to return to her old pursuits with gaiety of heart.
One evening, unknown to the teacher, she had strolled to the front garden gate, apparently on the watch for mischief. Isabella, who was intent upon learning her lessons for the following day, had likewise passed the boundary of the play-ground, and had sauntered the same way.
Miss Bruce in a moment caught her hand, opened the gate, and ran with her into the lane.
“Where are you taking me to?” exclaimed Isabella; “you have frightened me so!”
“Nonsense! I only want you to go with me to the cake shop: we shan’t be five minutes away.”
“But I have no business at the cake shop. And don’t you see that I am learning my lessons! You will make me forget all! ‘Five times nine, forty-five.’ O, dear, I shall forget every thing!”
“What a dunce!” cried Miss Bruce; “only at forty-five! I will teach you ten times further; and to add, and to subtract, if you will come with me. I do believe Miss Wilkins is there! Come along, or we shall be finely punished!” Saying this, Miss Bruce dragged Isabella down the lane, whilst she struggled to make her escape.
“I will not go, Miss Bruce! you have no right to take me! I declare you have made me drop my questions!”