The next day she began school duties again; but Mrs. Mowbray would not have her join the family at meals, until, as she said, she had something comfortable to wear. Rotha was thankful for the kind thoughtfulness that spared her feelings; and in return bent herself to her appointed tasks with an energy which soon disposed of them. However, they took all her time, for Mrs. Mowbray had introduced her to another part of the school and a much more advanced class of the pupils. This of itself gave her new spirit. The following day Mrs. Mowbray, as she had promised, sent her with one of the under teachers to have her dresses cut out. They went in a carriage, and drove to Mrs. Marble's. Mrs. Marble wore a doubtful countenance. "Well, it _is_ time you had something warmer, if you've got nothing more made since those lawns. Where's Mr. Digby?" "In England." "England! Don't say! And who's taking care of you?" "Miss Carpenter is in Mrs. Mowbray's family," said Miss Jewett stiffly. "Mrs. Mowbray, hey? what, the great school? You _are_ in luck, Rotha. Did Mr. Digby put you there?" "He did not choose the school," said Rotha. "I went to the same place where my cousin went. Mrs. Marble, that's too tight." "It'll look a great deal handsomer, Rotha. Slim waists are what all the ladies want." "I can't be pinched," said Rotha, lifting and lowering her shoulders in the exultation of free play. "I would rather be comfortable." "It does look better, to be snug, Miss Carpenter," said Miss Jewett, taking the mantua-maker's part. "I don't care," said Rotha. "I must have room to breathe. Make it loose enough, Mrs. Marble, or it will just come back to you to be altered." "You're as masterful as you just was, and as I always thought you would be," said the mantua-maker. "I suppose you think times is changed." "They are very much changed, Mrs. Marble," said Rotha calmly. "But I always had my dresses loose." "And everything else about you!--" muttered the dress-maker. However, she was never an ill-natured woman, and took her orders with tolerable equanimity. "You are the first young lady I ever saw trying on dresses, who did not want them to fit nicely," Miss Jewett remarked as they were driving away. "But I could not _breathe!_" said Rotha. "I like to be comfortable." "Different people have different notions of comfort," was the comment, not admiring. But Rotha did not give the matter another thought. The next day was Sunday. "You will not go to church, dear," Mrs. Mowbray had whispered. "I shall not ask you till you have something to keep you warm. Have you a thick outer coat?" Rotha explained. Her aunt had been about to get her one two or three weeks ago; then they had had their falling out, and since then she had heard no more on the subject. "We will get things in order by next Sunday. You can study at home to- day, and maybe that will be the best thing for you."