not,' said Sarah, and then stopped, breathless from
her tirade.

Horatia looked at her steadily. 'You are quite wrong about one thing. I
am enjoying myself immensely,' she began.

But Sarah interrupted her. 'Of course you are, because you make fun of
everything and everybody, and you will go away home and make fun of us
here as vulgar parvenus.'

'How dare you accuse me of such mean behaviour? You want to hear the
truth, and you shall, Sarah. There is one person who is vulgar here, and
that is yourself, and you are the only one. I am sorry I ever came to
Balmoral just for that reason, because I used to like you so much at
school, and be so proud that you liked me best--you seemed so superior to
the other girls; but here you have quite changed and become despicable.'

'Because you have seen my parents, that is all,' said Sarah.

'No; it is not for any such reason. I like your parents very much, and I
think your father is a wonderful man to have made such a position for
himself without any school education; and I love your mother, and I can't
see anything vulgar in them. Vulgarity, mother says, is pretending to be
what you are not. Education has nothing to do with vulgarity in its bad
sense.'

'I don't believe that. Do you mean to say that you thought my father's
behaviour refined this afternoon?' inquired Sarah, speaking slowly.

'It was very natural. It would have been vulgar of my father; but Mr Clay
is different. I can't explain very well; but if mother were here she
would be able to do it. I don't want to discuss your parents; I'm sorry
for you if you can't respect them. And, please, I'd rather you didn't say
so to me. But I think there's nothing quite so contemptible as being
ashamed of one's family. Why, I believe you are even ashamed of your
uncle Howroyd, and I think he's the most splendid man I ever saw, and I
am glad we met him this morning, for I verily believe you didn't mean to
introduce me to him, and I should have been angry if I had missed seeing
him and his mill.'

Sarah did not make any reply, but said, 'Good-night, Horatia,' and turned
to go.

In a moment Horatia's arms were round her. 'Oh Sarah! don't be angry and
horrid, and don't mind what I said. Forget it all.'

Sarah turned with wet eyes. 'I dare say you're right, and I am horrid and
contemptible; but you don't understand,' she said.

'Yes I do, a little; but why should you think so much about education and
titles and things? They do