“He can read, I see,” said Grace, “and he told me he had done some Latin with the Major.” “Yes, he has picked up a vast deal of information, and on the voyage the Major used to teach him out of a little pocket Virgil. The Major said it would not be of much use at school, as there was no dictionary; but that the discipline and occupation would be useful, and so they were. Conrade, will do anything for the Major, and indeed so will they all.” Three Majors in one speech, thought Rachel; and by way of counteraction she enunciated, “I could undertake the next pair of boys easily, but these two are evidently wanting school discipline.” Lady Temple feathered up like a mother dove over her nest. “You do not know Conrade. He is so trustworthy and affectionate, dear boy, and they are both always good with me. The Major said it often hurts boys to send them too young.” “They are very young, poor little fellows,” said Mrs. Curtis. “And if they are forward in some things they are backward in others,” said Fanny. “What Major Keith recommended was a governess, who would know what is generally expected of little boys.” “I don’t like half measures,” muttered Rachel. “I do not approve of encouraging young women to crowd the overstocked profession of governesses.” Fanny opened her brown eyes, and awaited the words of wisdom. “Is it not a flagrant abuse,” continued Rachel, “that whether she have a vocation or not, every woman of a certain rank, who wishes to gain her own livelihood, must needs become a governess? A nursery maid must have a vocation, but an educated or half-educated woman has no choice; and educator she must become, to her own detriment, and that of her victims.” “I always did think governesses often much to be pitied,” said Fanny, finding something was expected of her. “What’s the use of pity if one runs on in the old groove? We must prevent the market from being drugged, by diverting the supply into new lines.” “Are there any new lines?” asked Fanny, surprised at the progress of society in her absence. “Homoeopathic doctresses,” whispered Grace; who, dutiful as she was, sometimes indulged in a little fun, which Rachel would affably receive unless she took it in earnest, as in the present instance. “Why not--I ask why not? Some women have broken through prejudice, and why should not others? Do you not agree with me, Fanny, that female medical men--I mean medical women--would be an infinite boon?” “It would be very nice if they would never be nervous.” “Nerves are merely a matter of training. Think of the numbers that might be removed from the responsibility of incompetently educating! I declare that to tempt a person into the office of governess, instead of opening a new field to her, is the most short-sighted indolence.”