"
"Can your mother skate?"
"No, you see she never had a chance at home. Father was so busy, and
we were so little; but she'd learn. Mother Carey can learn anything,
if one could hinder her Serene Highness from pitching into her. I
say, Miss Ogilvie, you'll give her leave to skate, won't you?" he
asked in an insinuating tone.
"I give her leave!"
"She always says she'll ask you when we want her to be jolly and not
mind her Serene Highness."
Mary avoided pledging herself, and Jock's attention was diverted to
the dog, who was rising on his hind legs, vainly trying to look out
of the window; and his history, told with great gusto by Jock, lasted
till they reached home.
The drawing-room was full of girls about their lessons as usual-—
sums, exercises, music, and grammar all going on at once! but
Caroline put an end to them, and sent the Kencroft party home at once
in the carriage.
"So you have not dropped the old trade?" said Mary.
"I couldn't. Ellen is not strong enough yet to have the children on
her hands all day. I said I'd be responsible for them till Easter,
and I dare say you won't mind helping me through it as the beginning
of everything. Will you condescend? You know I want to be your
pupil too."
"You can be no one's pupil but your own, my dear! no one's on earth,
I mean.
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