is too young to listen to all that we must go into. I purpose dears,
after the manner of our school-hours, to divide our discourse into
heads--two heads will probably be sufficient for this evening. First,
the severe loss you have just sustained--that we will talk over, and
no doubt mingle our tears together over; take courage, my dear
children, such an unburdening will relieve your young hearts.
Second--Jasmine, you need not get so very red, my dear--second, we
will discuss something also of importance; how are you three dear
girls going to live?"

Here Miss Martineau paused, took off her spectacles, wiped them, and
put them on again. She felt really very kindly, and would have worked
herself to a skeleton, if need be, for the sake of the Mainwarings,
whom she sincerely loved. Jasmine's red face, however, grew still
redder.

"Please, Miss Martineau--yes, Primrose, I will speak--please, Miss
Martineau, we cannot discuss dear mamma with you. There is nothing to
discuss, and nothing to tell--I won't--I can't--Primrose, I won't
listen, and I won't talk."

Miss Martineau shook her head, and looked really angrily at Jasmine.

"Nothing to tell," she said, sorrowfully. "Is your poor dear mother
then so soon forgotten? I could not have believed it. Alas! alas! how
little children appreciate their parents."

"You are not a parent yourself, and you know nothing about it," said
Jasmine, now feeling very angry, and speaking in her rudest tone.