"Jenny, of course, was different--and that made it difficult sometimes. Besides being the eldest, she was very well paid for and, although not pampered and, I must say, considering all things as I now know them, very ill-supplied with pocket money, there were orders that she should ride every day. Two horses and the hostler from the Bull every day--except Sundays! It couldn't but make a difference, especially with a girl of Jenny's disposition--not altogether an easy one, Mr. Austin. It had to be give-and-take between us. If she obeyed me, there were many little things I could do--having, as I say, the authority. If she would do her lessons well--and her example had great influence on the others--I didn't trouble to see what books she had in her bedroom (with the other girls I did), nor even ask questions if she stayed out a little late for supper. Of course we had to be very much on our guard; it didn't do to make the Simpson girls jealous." "You had a little secret understanding between yourselves?" "Never, Mr. Austin! I wouldn't have done such a thing with any of my pupils. It would be subversive of discipline." "Of course it would; I beg your pardon." (Here a little "homage to virtue" on both our parts!) "She knew how far she could go; she knew when I must say 'Stop!' She never put me to it--though I must say she went very near the line sometimes. She came to us very raw, too, with really no idea of what was ladylike. What those Smalls can have been like! You see what she is now. I don't think I did so badly." I saw what she was now--or some of it. And I seemed to see it all growing up in that country rectory--the raw girl from the Smalls (those deplorable Smalls!) at Cheltenham, learning her youthful lessons in diplomacy--how far one can go, where one must stop, how keen a bargain can be struck with Authority. Chat had been Authority then. There was another now. Yet where the difference in principle? "I can't have managed so very badly, because they were all broken-hearted to lose me--I often think how they can be getting on!--and here I am with Jenny! Well, poor Chat would have had to go soon, anyhow. They were all growing up. That time comes. It must be so in my profession, Mr. Austin. Indispensable to-day, to-morrow you're not wanted!" "That sounds sad. You must be glad, in the end, that you didn't stay?" "It'll be the same here some day. For all you or I know, it might be to-morrow. The only thing is to suit as long as we can, and to put by a little."