say so, for all
your kindness to me long ago, down to this very day--you've a right to be
first told of anything about me. Change of opinion I can't exactly call
it, for I don't see the good of schools and teaching A B C, any more than
I did before, only Mr. Gray does, so I'm to shut my eyes, and leap over
the ditch to the side of education. I've told Sally already, that if she
does not mind her work, but stands gossiping with Nelly Mather, I'll
teach her her lessons; and I've never caught her with old Nelly since."

I think Miss Galindo's desertion to Mr. Gray's opinions in this matter
hurt my lady just a little bit; but she only said--

"Of course, if the parishoners wish for it, Mr. Gray must have his Sunday-
school. I shall, in that case, withdraw my opposition. I am sorry I
cannot alter my opinions as easily as you."

My lady made herself smile as she said this. Miss Galindo saw it was an
effort to do so. She thought a minute before she spoke again.

"Your ladyship has not seen Mr. Gray as intimately as I have done. That's
one thing. But, as for the parishioners, they will follow your
ladyship's lead in everything; so there is no chance of their wishing for
a Sunday-school."

"I have never done anything to make them follow my lead, as you call it,
Miss Galindo," said my lady, gravely.

"Yes, you have," replied Miss Galindo, bluntly. And then, correcting
herself, she said, "Begging your ladyship's pardon, you have. Your
ancestors have lived here time out of mind, and have owned the land on
which their forefathers have lived ever since there were forefathers. You
yourself were born amongst them, and have been like a little queen to
them ever since, I might say, and they've never known your ladyship do
anything but what was kind and gentle; but I'll leave fine speeches about
your ladyship to Mr. Crosse. Only you, my lady, lead the thoughts of the
parish; and save some of them a world of trouble, for they could never
tell what was right if they had to think for themselves. It's all quite
right that they should be guided by you, my lady,--if only you would
agree with Mr. Gray."

"Well," said my lady, "I told him only the last day that he was here,
that I would think about it. I do believe I could make up my mind on
certain subjects better if I were left alone, than while being constantly
talked to about them."

My lady said this in her usual soft tones; but the words had a tinge of
impatience abo