 take a
severer view of the offender, »a most remarkable thing, Miss Edwards, that you
have an attachment to the lower classes which always draws you to their sides;
or, rather, is it not a most extraordinary thing that all I say and do will not
wean you from propensities which your original station in life have unhappily
rendered habitual to you, you extremely vulgar-minded girl?«
    »I really intended no harm, ma'am,« said a sweet voice. »It was a momentary
impulse, indeed.«
    »An impulse!« repeated Miss Monflathers scornfully. »I wonder that you
presume to speak of impulses to me« - both the teachers assented - »I am
astonished« - both the teachers were astonished - »I suppose it is an impulse
which induces you to take the part of every grovelling and debased person that
comes in your way« - both the teachers supposed so too.
    »But I would have you know, Miss Edwards,« resumed the governess in a tone
of increased severity, »that you cannot be permitted - if it be only for the
sake of preserving a proper example and decorum in this establishment - that you
cannot be permitted, and that you shall not be permitted, to fly in the face of
your superiors in this exceedingly gross manner. If you have no reason to feel a
becoming pride before wax-work children, there are young ladies here who have,
and you must either defer to those young ladies or leave the establishment, Miss
Edwards.«
    This young lady, being motherless and poor, was apprenticed at the school -
taught for nothing - teaching others what she learnt, for nothing - boarded for
nothing - lodged for nothing - and set down and rated as something immeasurably
less than nothing, by all the dwellers in the house. The servant-maids felt her
inferiority, for they were better treated; free to come and go, and regarded in
their stations with much more respect. The teachers were infinitely superior,
for they had paid to go to school in their time, and were paid now. The pupils
cared little for a companion who had no grand stories to tell about home; no
friends to come with post-horses, and be received in all humility, with cake and
wine, by the governess; no deferential servant to attend and bear her home for
the holidays; nothing genteel to talk about, and nothing to display. But why was
Miss Monflathers always vexed and irritated with the poor apprentice - how did
that come to pass?
    Why, the gayest feather in Miss
