another's thoughts, she was happy beyond description.

"Father," she panted at that point, her hands clasped before her, her
dark, blue-eyed face flushing and paling, "will you let me go to Master
Farwell to study with the boys?"

Nathaniel eyed her from the top step of the porch; "with the boys" had
been fatal to the child's request.

"No," he said firmly, the old light of antagonism glinting suddenly under
his brow, "girls don't need learning past what their mothers can give
them."

"I--do! I'm willing to suffer and _die_, but I do want to know things."
She was an intense atom, and from the first thought true and straight.

A sharp memory was in her mind and it lent fervour to her words. It
related to the episode of the small, fat mustard jar which always graced
the middle of the dining table. They had once told her that the contents
of the jar "were not for little girls."

They had been mistaken. She had investigated, suffered, and learned!
Well, she was ready to suffer--but learn she must!

Nathaniel shook his head and set forth his scheme of life for her,
briefly and clearly.

"You'll have nothing but woman ways--bad enough you need them--they will
tame and keep you safe. You'll marry early and find your pleasure and
duty in your home."