Rhoda's Education by Lucy Ellen Guernsey

IT was something like a douche of cold water to Mr. Ferrand when Miss Hardy, with a certain twinkle in her eyes, introduced:

"Miss Thurston, one of my young ladies."

But he "accepted the situation" like the gentleman he really was, in spite of his numerous crochets.

"I have had the pleasure of meeting Miss Thurston before," said he, cordially shaking hands with Rhoda. "I am glad to see her looking so well, and so pleasantly situated. Mrs. Ferrand, my dear, here is an old friend."

But Isa had already thrown herself upon Rhoda's neck with a cry of joy, which was decidedly hysterical in its sound, and Mr. Ferrand, for a wonder, did not reprove her, as he certainly would have done if such a demonstration had taken place in his own home.

"Suppose, Rhoda, you take Isa up and show her the house," said Miss Hardy, presently.

Mr. Ferrand looked a little uneasy, but he did not interfere.

"Isa is not looking well," remarked Miss Hardy when the girls had left the room.

"She is not well," answered her sister. "I hoped Henry Douglass might come down while we were here. I should like him to see her."

"I have written to him that you were coming," said Miss Hardy. "I presume we shall see him before many days."

"My dear, you are over-anxious about Isabella," remarked Mr. Ferrand. "The child is essentially well, though perhaps somewhat fatigued with her late application. We have had a visit in Milby from a very superior music-master who only stayed a month. I was desirous of having our daughter profit as far as possible by his instructions, and she has therefore taken a lesson every day and spent most of her time at the piano. But she is quite well, and the recreation of travelling will soon remove any little extra fatigue."

It struck Miss Hardy that there was a little unnecessary self-assertion and emphasis in Mr. Ferrand's remarks, as if he were trying to convince himself as well as his wife.

"And so you have taken our young friend Rhoda into the number of your pupils? " continued Mr. Ferrand, as though willing to change the subject. "Is not that rather a hazardous experiment? I do not mean as regards Rhoda herself-she has a fine mind, and a real love of study for its own sake; but will not the parents of your pupils take umbrage at a young person in her station in life being put on an equality with their daughters?"

"If they do, they have their remedy: they can take their daughters away," said Miss Hardy, smiling. "But I have no fears on that score. It is not the first time I tried the experiment."

"I thought you wrote me that you had secured her a place as nurse with a family going to Cape May? " remarked Mrs. Ferrand.

"So I had, and a very good place. Rhoda was delighted with the prospect, but after I was hurt, she would not hear of leaving me; and indeed I don't know what I should have done without her. She is an excellent nurse and a most agreeable companion."

"I had thought, myself, of taking her into the family and educating her with Isabella," said Mr. Ferrand, "but something occurred which changed my determination. I found out afterward, however, that the person whose representations influenced me was untrustworthy. However, it has all turned out for the best."

Meantime, Rhoda and Isa, seated in Rhoda's little room, were pouring out such a flood of talk as only two such girls are capable of.

"And Aunt Harriet is going to educate you-is she really? " asked Isa.

"So she says. I practise two hours a day now, besides reading history to Miss Hardy, and I have begun the Latin grammar. I can tell you, Isa, I have to pinch myself sometimes to be sure that I am awake and not dreaming. And the best of it is that I owe it all to you and your mother. But what have you been doing lately? Miss Hardy said you had been taking some wonderful music-lessons."