Hollenbeck boys were not fond of study. They were healthy and
pretty; quite the reverse of intellectual; very fair and rosy, without
much resemblance to their mother or her brothers. It was evident the
acquisition of knowledge was far from being the principal pursuit of
their lives, and the tutor was looked upon as the natural enemy of
Charley, at the least.

"I don't see what you ever got him for, mamma," said Charley. "I'd study
just as much without him."

"And that wouldn't be pledging yourself to very much, would it, Charley
dear?"

"Wish he was back in Germany with his ugly books," cried Charley.

But--hush!--there was a sudden lull, as the tutor entered and took his
place by Charley. He was a well-made man, evidently about thirty. He was
so decidedly a gentleman, in manners and appearance, that even these
spoiled boys treated him respectfully, and the young ladies and
gentlemen at the table were more stiff than offensive in their manner.
But he was so evidently not one of them!

It is very disagreeable to be among people who know each other very
well, even if they try to know you very well and admit you to their
friendship. But I had no assurance that any one was trying to do this
for _me_, and I am afraid I showed very little inclination to be
admitted to their friendship. I could not talk, and I did not want to be
talked to. I was even afraid of the little boys, and thought all the
time that Charley was watching me and making signs about me to his
brother, when in reality he was only telegraphing about the marmalade.

In the meantime, without any attention to my feelings, the business of
the tea-table proceeded. Mrs. Hollenbeck poured out tea, and kept the
little boys under a moderate control. Kilian cut up some birds before
him, and tried to persuade the young ladies to eat some, but nobody had
appetite enough but Mr. Whitney and himself. Charlotte Benson, who was
clever and efficient and exceedingly at home, cut up a cake that was
before her, and gave the boys some strawberries, and offered some to me.
Miss Palmer simply looked very handsome, and eat a biscuit or two, and
tried to talk to Mr. Whitney, who seemed to have a good appetite and
very little conversation. Miss Leighton gave herself up to attentions to
Kilian; she was saying silly little things to him in a little low tone
all the time, and offering him different articles before her, and
advising him what he ought to eat; all of which seemed mos