of Carsham Hall, widow of General Fosdyke; also Master
Frederick, Miss Ellen, and Miss Eva, the pupils of the new governess;
also two ladies and three gentlemen, guests staying in the house.

Discreet and dignified; handsome and well-bred--such was my impression
of Mrs. Fosdyke, while she harangued me on the subject of her children,
and communicated her views on education. Having heard the views before
from others, I assumed a listening position, and privately formed my
opinion of the schoolroom. It was large, lofty, perfectly furnished
for the purpose; it had a big window and a balcony looking out over
the garden terrace and the park beyond--a wonderful schoolroom, in my
limited experience. One of the two doors which it possessed was left
open, and showed me a sweet little bedroom, with amber draperies and
maplewood furniture, devoted to myself. Here were wealth and liberality,
in the harmonious combination so seldom discovered by the spectator of
small means. I controlled my first feeling of bewilderment just in time
to answer Mrs. Fosdyke on the subject of reading and recitation--viewed
as minor accomplishments which a good governess might be expected to
teach.

"While the organs are young and pliable," the lady remarked, "I regard
it as of great importance to practice children in the art of reading
aloud, with an agreeable variety of tone and correctness of emphasis.
Trained in this way, they will produce a favorable impression on others,
even in ordinary conversation, when they grow up. Poetry, committed to
memory and recited, is a valuable means toward this end. May I hope that
your studies have enabled you to carry out my views?"

Formal enough in language, but courteous and kind in manner. I relieved
Mrs. Fosdyke from anxiety by informing her that we had a professor of
elocution at school. And then I was left to improve my acquaintance with
my three pupils.

They were fairly intelligent children; the boy, as usual, being slower
than the girls. I did my best--with many a sad remembrance of the far
dearer pupils whom I had left--to make them like me and trust me; and
I succeeded in winning their confidence. In a week from the time of my
arrival at Carsham Hall, we began to understand each other.

The first day in the week was one of our days for reciting poetry, in
obedience to the instructions with which I had been favored by Mrs.
Fosdyke. I had done with the girls, and had just opened (perhaps I ought
to s