It was not so much by these lessons that Michael’s outlook was widened as by the conversations he enjoyed with Miss Carthew during their afternoon walks. She told him, so far as she could, everything that he desired to know. She never accused him of being old-fashioned or inquisitive, and indeed as good as made him feel that the more questions he asked the better she would like it. Miss Carthew had all the mental and imaginative charm of the late Mrs. Frith in combination with an outward attractiveness that made her more dearly beloved. Indeed Miss Carthew had numberless pleasant qualities. If she promised anything, the promise was always kept to the letter. If Michael did not know his lesson or omitted the performance of an ordained task, Miss Carthew was willing to hear the explanation of his failure and was never unreasonable in her judgment. One morning very soon after her arrival, Michael was unable to repeat satisfactorily the verse of the psalm Venite Adoremus set for him to learn. “Why don’t you know it, Michael?” Miss Carthew asked. “I had to go to bed.” “But surely you had plenty of time before you went to bed?” Miss Carthew persisted. “Nanny wanted to go out, and I went to bed early,” Michael explained. For a moment or two Miss Carthew considered the problem silently. Then she rang the bell and told withered Gladys that she wished to speak to Nurse. Presently Nurse came in, very aggressive and puckered. “Did Michael have to go to bed very early last night?” Miss Carthew enquired. “Oh, yes. Yes,” Nurse blew out. “Early last night. Wednesday night. Yes. I had to go out. Yes.” “What time did he go to bed?” Miss Carthew went on. “What time?” repeated Nurse. “Why the proper time, of course.” “Don’t be insolent,” said Miss Carthew very tranquilly. Nurse blustered and wrinkled her nose and frowned and came very close to Miss Carthew and peered up into her face, blowing harder than ever. “The arrangements can’t be altered for governesses,” said Nurse. “No. Tut-tut. Never heard of such a thing.” “The arrangements _will_ be altered. In future Michael will go to bed at half-past seven. It’s not good for him to go to bed earlier. Do you understand?” “Do I understand? No, I don’t understand,” Nurse snapped. “Very well,” said Miss Carthew. “You need not wait, Nurse.” Nurse blinked and peered and fumed, but Miss Carthew paid so little attention that Michael felt himself blushing for her humiliation. However, he did not go to bed that night till half-past seven and at the end of the week could rattle off the Venite in two breaths. It was extraordinary how Nurse shrank into nothing at Miss Carthew’s approach, like a witch in the presence of a good fairy.