"I don't care much about it; I want to go home and stay with ma!" beginning to sob. Neither her unpolished manners, nor her accent, combining, as it did, the most vicious of Virginia provincialisms, with the gutturals of the African; nor her noisy grief, could make Ida forget that she was a home-sick child--weeping for her mother! _She_ too had mourned, and "refused to be comforted, because hers was not." Miss Pratt's sorrow, however, was very garrulous. "Now, at home," she continued, "I did jest as I pleased; I lay down most all day. Ma said reading was bad for my head; and so 'tis; it makes me as stupid as I don't know what; and ain't no use besides. I can play on the pianny; gentle_men_ don't care for nothing else when they go to see the ladies. You all don't have no beaux while you're at school, do you?" Ida smiled at this unlooked for query. "We do not have much leisure for amusements," she rejoined. "And can't you go to the theatre, and to shows and parties?" asked Miss Pratt, alarmed. "There are no rules on the subject; but it is thought that a young lady is better fitted to go into society, when her mind and manners are formed by time and study." "Mine are enough formed, I know," complacently glancing from her attire to Ida's plain merino, and black silk apron. "How awful ugly all the girls dress! Ain't none of 'em rich?" "I believe so; but the school-girls here dress simply." "_I_ shan't! My pa's able to give me decent clothes, and I mean to have 'em. I don't like Richmond a single bit. Nobody don't take no more notice of me than if I wan't nobody--no better than other folks." "You are not acquainted yet. There are some pleasant girls amongst us; and you will love Mr. Purcell." "Is he strict, much? Does he make you get hard lessons?" "He is very kind and considerate." "I despise teachers and books. Thank patience! I am going to turn out after this session. Ma was married at fifteen, and I'm going on seventeen." "I am quite seventeen, but I am not tired of books. When I leave school, I shall adopt a regular plan of study and reading." "_Good_ gracious! Why, don't you expect to get married? What are you going to learn so much for? I reckon you're going to teach school." "No; I study because I like to do it." "Pshaw! you talk like your teacher was in the room. I don't believe _that_." "The school-bell!" interrupted Ida, happy to be released. Miss Pratt hung back. "I don't want to go where all them girls are. Will Mr. What's-his-name be mad if I stay here?" "He will probably send for you." "Then I might's well go now. I don't care--I'm as good as any of 'em." "What, and who is she?" inquired Carry, when school was out. "A silly, neglected child," responded her friend. "Shamefully ignorant, when we consider her father's station. He is a member of the legislature." "Ah! can it be the delegate from A----? I have heard of him. He is a clever politician, and an educated man. I am astonished!"