closeted with Miss Prettyman, were always asked to sit in the arm-chair,
whereas a small, straight-backed, uneasy chair was kept for the use of
the young ladies. And there was, too, a stool of repentance, out against
the wall, very uncomfortable indeed for young ladies who had not behaved
themselves so prettily as young ladies generally do.

Grace seated herself, and then began her speech very quickly. 'Miss
Prettyman,' she said, 'I have made up my mind that I will go home, if
you please.'

'And why should you go home, Grace? Did I not tell you that you should
have a home here?' Miss Prettyman had weak eyes, and was very small, and
had never possessed any claim to be called good-looking. And she
assumed nothing of the majestical awe from any adornment or studied
amplification of the outward woman by means of impressive trappings. The
possessor of an unobservant eye might have called her a mean-looking,
little old woman. And certainly there would have been nothing awful in
her to anyone who came across her otherwise than as a lady having
authority in her own school. But within her own precincts, she did know
how to surround herself with a dignity which all felt who approached her
there. Grace Crawley, as she heard the simple question which Miss
Prettyman had asked, unconsciously acknowledged the strength of the
woman's manner. She already stood rebuked for having proposed a plan so
ungracious, so unnecessary, and so unwise.

'I think I ought to be with mamma at present,' said Grace.

'You mother has her sister with her.'

'Yes, Miss Prettyman, Jane is there.'