“I will see the lady for you.” “How kind of you!” “Shall I say that you wish to engage her?” “Oh, by all means!” “What will you do with your American girl?” asked the lady. “Give her notice to quit immediately. She shall not pass another night under this roof: my mind is made up to that. The way she has acted this day decides me.” “At what time shall I tell this English lady to call?” “I will see her at four this afternoon.” “Very well.” “In the mean time I will close up matters with Miss Harper.” “Is that the name of your present governess?” inquired the lady, evincing some interest. “Yes.” “Florence Harper?” “Yes. Do you know any thing about her?” “I knew her mother when I was a girl,” replied the lady,—“though I never fancied her a great deal. She had too much mock dignity for me. She married very well, and for some time moved in moderately good society. But her husband failed in business several years ago, and died shortly afterward, I think. So it is her daughter you have for a governess! How things will come around! There was a time when she seemed to think I wasn’t good enough to associate with her; and now her daughter has come down to the position of a hireling. Well, well! Isn’t this a queer world? If Florence is like her mother, I don’t think she will suit.” “She puts on airs above her station,” said Mrs. Dainty. “An inherited fault. Her mother had a way of looking down upon everybody. I couldn’t bear her!” “Humph! This spawn of hers actually assumed to put herself on a level with me, and to ‘approve’ my opinions in regard to the children’s education! I was too provoked!” “You’ll always have trouble with her,” said the lady. “The stock isn’t right. Is Agnes taking lessons in music?” she inquired, in a pause that followed. The sound of a piano had for some time been heard. Mrs. Dainty drew out her watch as she answered in the affirmative. She saw that it was half-past twelve o’clock. A moment or two she listened, while a serious expression came into her face. “I don’t like that,” said she. “What?” “This girl is bound to have her way, I see!” “Who?” “Why, Miss Harper. There’s been a contention between her and Agnes about the hour at which the music-lesson shall be given. Agnes wished to take it at ten o’clock; but Miss Harper said twelve. I told her two hours ago to give Agnes her lesson. But you see how it is! She means to be mistress. I’m too provoked!” “If she begins by domineering over your children in this way, what will it be in the end? I only wonder that a girl like Agnes would submit.” “It is the last music-lesson she gives in this house,” said Mrs. Dainty. “My mind is made up to that. Send me the English lady, and I will engage her on the spot. Tell her that I would like her to come this very day, if it is agreeable. I will send Miss Harper away, and take her without consulting anybody. When the thing is done, Uncle John may scold to his heart’s content. He can’t change the fact.”