Phoebe, Junior by Margaret Oliphant

This is how Phoebe's difficulties ended. Contrary to her every expectation, Mr. Copperhead made a great brag of her powers wherever he went. "Money is money," he said, "but brains is brains, all the same -- we can't get on without 'em -- and when you want to make a figure in the world, sir, buy a few brains if they fall in your way -- that's my style. I've done with stupid ones up till now; but when I see there's a want of a clever one, I ain't such a fool as to shut my eyes to it. They cost dear, but I'm thankful to say I can afford that, ay, and a good deal more. " Thus everything was satisfactorily arranged. Tozer and his wife cried together for joy on the wedding-day, but they did not expect to be asked to that ceremony, being well aware that Phoebe, having now completely entered into the regions of the great, could not be expected to have very much to say to them. "Though I know, the darling, as she'd just be the same if she was here, and wouldn't let nobody look down upon you and me," said the old woman.

"She's a wonderful girl, she is," said old Tozer. "Wind us all round her little finger, that's what she could do -- leastways, except when there was principle in it, and there I stood firm. But I've done things for Phoebe as I wouldn't have done for no other breathing, and she knew it. I wouldn't give in to her though about church folks being just as good as them as is more enlightened. That's agin' reason. But I've done things for 'em along of her! -- Ah! she's a wonderful girl is Phoebe -- Phoebe, Junior, as I always call her. There ain't her match between here and London, and that's what I'll always say."