But Auntie Jinit McKerracher had asked her on this
occasion, and even Lady Gordon herself might have hesitated to offend
that important personage, particularly as there had so lately been
danger of a breach between the families. So, suppressing her pride,
Miss Gordon went, and sat in stately grandeur at the head of the quilt,
saying little until the young schoolmistress appeared. She, at least,
did not murder Her Majesty's English when she spoke, though her manners
were not by any means quite genteel.

Miss Gordon opened the conversation by inquiring after the attainments
of her family in matters scholastic.

They were all doing very well indeed, Miss Hillary reported. She spoke
a little vaguely, to be sure. The Red Cutter appeared with such
pleasant frequency these days that she was not quite sure what her
pupils were doing. But she remembered that the Gordons were generally
at the head of their classes, and said so, adding the usual reservation
which closed any praise of the family, "except Elizabeth."

Miss Gordon sighed despairingly. "Elizabeth does not seem as bright as
the rest," she mourned. "I cannot understand it at all. Her father
was extremely clever in his college days; indeed, his course was
exceptional, his professors all said. All our family were of a
literary turn, you know, Miss Hillary. Sir William Gordon's
father--Sir William is the cousin for whom my brother was named--wrote
exceedingly profound articles, and my dear father's essays were spoken
of far and wide. No; I do not at all understand Elizabeth. I am
afraid she must be entirely a MacDuff."

It did not seem so much lack of ability, Miss Hillary said, as lack of
application. Lizzie always seemed employed at something besides her
lessons. But perhaps it was because she hadn't a mathematical head.
Then she changed the subject, feeling she was on uncertain ground. She
was secretly wondering whether it was Rosie Carrick or Lizzie Gordon
who never got a mark in spelling.

Elizabeth was made aware, by her aunt's remarks that evening, as they
sat around the table for the usual study hour, that she had been
transgressing again; but just how, she failed to understand. Miss
Gordon talked in the grieved, vague way that always put Elizabeth's
nerves on the rack. To be talked at this way in public was far worse
even than being scolded outright in private. For one never knew what
was one's specific sin, and there was always the horrib