Yes; education has always been Martha’s hobby. That is why she accepted a place in the national school. It was a piece of folly on her part. JOHAN. She certainly looked very much done up yesterday. I should scarcely think her health would stand it. BERNICK. Oh, I don’t think there’s much amiss with her health. But it’s unpleasant for me. It looks as if I, her brother, were not willing to maintain her. JOHAN. Maintain her? I thought she had enough of her own to—— BERNICK. Not a halfpenny. I daresay you remember what difficulties my mother was in when you left. She got on for some time with my help; but of course that arrangement could not permanently satisfy me. So I determined to go into partnership with her; but even then things were far from going well. At last I had to take over the whole affair; and when we came to make up accounts, there was scarcely anything left to my mother’s share. Then, shortly afterwards, she died; and Martha, of course, was left with nothing. JOHAN. Poor Martha! BERNICK. Poor! Why so? You don’t suppose I let her want for anything? Oh no; I think I may say I am a good brother to her. Of course she lives here and has her meals with us; her salary as a teacher is quite enough for her dress, and—what can a single woman want more? JOHAN. H’m; that’s not the way we think in America. BERNICK. No, I daresay not; there are too many agitators at work over there. But here, in our little circle, where, thank heaven, corruption has not as yet managed to creep in—here women are content with a modest and unobtrusive position. For the rest, it is Martha’s own fault; she could have been provided for long ago if she had cared to. JOHAN. You mean she could have married? BERNICK. Yes, and married very well too; she has had several good offers. Strangely enough!—a woman without money, no longer young, and quite insignificant. JOHAN. Insignificant? BERNICK. Oh, I am not blaming her at all. Indeed, I would not have her otherwise. In a large house like ours, you know, it is always convenient to have some steady-going person like her, whom one can put to anything that may turn up. JOHAN. Yes, but she herself——? BERNICK.