er, and I can't bear to give it
up. I'm sure I can--"

"Stop, Ethel, I really doubt whether you can. Do you know that Norman
was telling papa the other day that it was very odd Dr. Hoxton gave them
such easy lessons."

Ethel looked very much mortified.

"You see," said Margaret kindly, "we all know that men have more power
than women, and I suppose the time has come for Norman to pass beyond
you. He would not be cleverer than any one, if he could not do more than
a girl at home."

"He has so much more time for it," said Ethel.

"That's the very thing. Now consider, Ethel. His work, after he goes to
Oxford, will be doing his very utmost--and you know what an utmost that
is. If you could keep up with him at all, you must give your whole time
and thoughts to it, and when you had done so--if you could get all
the honours in the University--what would it come to? You can't take a
first-class."

"I don't want one," said Ethel; "I only can't bear not to do as Norman
does, and I like Greek so much."

"And for that would you give up being a useful, steady daughter and
sister at home? The sort of woman that dear mamma wished to make you,
and a comfort to papa."

Ethel was silent, and large tears were gathering.

"You own that that is the first thing?"

"Yes," said Ethel faintly.

"And that it is what you fail in most?"

"Yes."

"Then, Ethel dearest, when you made up your mind to Cocksmoor, you knew
those things could not be done without a sacrifice?"

"Yes, but I didn't think it would be this."

Margaret was wise enough not to press her, and she sat down and sighed
pitifully. Presently she said, "Margaret, if you would only let me leave
off that stupid old French, and horrid dull reading with Miss Winter,
I should have plenty of time for everything; and what does one learn by
hearing Mary read poetry she can't understand?"

"You work, don't you? But indeed, Ethel, don't say that I can let you
leave off anything. I don't feel as if I had that authority. If it be
done at all, it must be by papa's consent, and if you wish me to ask
him about it, I will, only I think it would vex Miss Winter; and I don't
think dear mamma would have liked Greek and Cocksmoor to swallow up all
the little common ladylike things."

Ethel made two or three great gulps; "Margaret, must I give up
everything, and forget all my Latin and Greek?"

"I should think that would be a great pity," said Margaret. "If you were
to give up the v