But then Ellen had a husband, and, as Caroline sighed to herself,
that made all the difference! and she was no Serene Highness, and had
no dignity.
The three girls from Kencroft did actually become pupils at the
Folly, but the beginnings were not propitious, for, in her new
teacher's eyes, Jessie knew nothing accurately, but needed to have
her foundations looked to-—to practise scales, draw square boxes, and
work the four first rules of arithmetic.
"Simple things," complained Jessie to her mother, "that I used to do
when I was no bigger than Essie, and yet she is always teasing one
about how and why! She wanted me to tell why I carried one."
"Have a little patience for the present, my dear, your papa wants to
help her just at present, and after this autumn we will manage for
you to have some real good music lessons."
"But I don't like wasting time over old easy things made difficult,"
sighed Jessie.
"It is very tiresome, my dear; but your papa wishes it, and you see,
poor thing, she can't teach you more than she knows herself; and
while you are there, I am sure it is all right with Essie and Ellie."
"She does not teach them a bit like Miss James," said Jessie. "She
makes their sums into a story, and their spelling lessons too.
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