my dismay, she answered that few children are interesting, and that
one was as good as another.

"But I mean to be fond of my pupils," I hazarded, rather timidly, as
I took my basket of keys. I thought Uncle Geoffrey was deep in his
paper again. "I think a governess ought to have a good moral
influence over them. Mother always said so."

"We can have a good moral influence without any personal fondness,"
returned Carrie, rather dryly. Poor girl! her work outside was
distasteful to her, and she could not help showing it sometimes.

"One cannot take interest in a child without loving it in time," I
returned, with a little heat, for I did not enjoy this slavish notion
of duty--pure labor, and nothing else. Carrie did not answer, she
leaned rather wearily against the window, and looked absently out.
Uncle Geoffrey gave her a shrewd glance as he folded up the newspaper
and whistled to Jumbles.

"Settle it between yourselves girls," he observed, suddenly, as he
opened the door; "but if I were little Annie Thorne, I know I should
choose Esther;" and with this parting thrust he left the room, making
us feel terribly abashed.




CHAPTER VII.

OVER THE WAY.