Jane Marley had not changed her style of dress with her altered circumstances. She wore the same plain stuffs simply put together as heretofore, but her face had undergone a change; it had become harder, more lined, more gloomy. After a quarter of an hour passed in silence, and the situation had become irksome, Mrs. Marley said, 'Winnie, this will not do. Something has happened to offend you. Are you angry because you have not had a dance?' 'I do not wish to dance. I would not dance with one of them.' 'Why not? Is it because you are above them?' 'It is because I will not touch the hand or speak in friendly way with any one who says that you are wicked.' 'Winnie, you should not be too haughty with them.' 'I am not haughty. I care nothing for my smart dress. You know, mother, that I was against putting one on. It is not that.' 'This cannot go on. I have had a talk with Mrs. Jose; she thinks that there must be a change.' 'Let there be a change. Let them acknowledge that you are an honest woman.' 'There is nothing for it,' said Jane hastily, and her hands trembled; 'but this――you must go to school.' 'To school!' 'Yes, a boarding-school.' 'Will you come with me?' 'No, of course not.' 'Well, then, you are the most wonderful mother that ever was. Once you would have thrown me over the cliffs――――' 'No more of that.' 'Because you could not bear to be parted from me.' 'Now it is necessary. Mrs. Jose thinks so――I feel it.' 'I will not go.' 'You must go. It will be for your good. You are to be brought up as a lady. I have been turning it over in my head, and see that it must be so. You are too good for these clods, and not good enough for gentlefolk. You must be set to learn the manners of those with whom you will associate.' 'I do not wish to leave you, mother.' 'You will have to do so. It is I, not you, who will suffer. You will be among young people, and share their games, and learn their lessons. I shall sit here knitting, thinking, my head turning and my heart aching――alone.' 'You must not be alone.' 'My child. It is my place to think for you, and to endure what must be for your benefit. The time will arrive when you will be married. You have been made to feel in a fashion what it means to stand alone, and to have no man by you to fight your battles. There is no farm lad you would take, and no gentlemen who would take you.' 'But, mother, my father had no such thoughts.'