'Let the child choose her own special teacher,' said Mistress Mary;
'she is sure to have a strong preference.'

'Then it will be you,' laughed Helen.

'Don't be foolish; it may be any one of us and it will prove nothing
in any case, save a fancy that we can direct to good use. She seldom
looks at anybody but you,' said Edith.

'That is true,' replied Mary thoughtfully. 'I think she is attracted
by this glittering steel thing in my hair. I am going to weave it
into Helen's curly crop some day, and see whether she misses it or
transfers her affection. I have made up my mind who is the best
teacher for her, and whom she will chose.'

Rhoda gave a comical groan. 'Don't say it's I,' she pleaded. 'I
dread it. Please I am not good enough, I don't know how; and
besides, she gives me the creeps!'

Mistress Mary turned on Rhoda with a reproachful smile, saying, 'You
naughty Rhoda, with the brightest eyes, the swiftest feet, the
nimblest fingers, the lightest heart among us all, why do you want to
shirk?'

Mistress Mary had noted the fact that Lisa had refused to sit in an
unpainted chair, but had dragged a red one from another room and
ensconced herself in it, though it was uncomfortably small.

Now Rhoda was well named, for she was a rose of a girl, with damask
cheeks that glowed like two Jacqueminot beauties. She was much given