ItwasnearChristmasbythetimeallwassettled:theseasonofgeneralholidayapproached.Inowortonschool,takingcarethatthepartingshouldnotbebarrenonmyside.Goodfortuhehandaswellastheheartwonderfully;andtogivesomeehavelargelyreceived,isbuttoaffordaventtotheunusualebullitionofthesensations.Ihadlowithpleasurethatmanyofmyrusticscholarslikedme,andwheed,thatsciousnesswasfirmed:theymaedtheiraffeplainlyandstrongly.DeepwasmygratificationtofindIhadreallyaplatheirunsophisticatedhearts:IpromisedthemthatneveraweekshouldpassinfuturethatIdidnotvisitthem,andgivethemanhour’steagintheirschool.

    Mr.Riverscameupas,haviheclasses,nownumberingsixtygirls,fileoutbeforeme,andlockedthedoor,Istoodwiththekeyinmyhand,exgingafewwordsofspecialfarewellwithsomehalf-dozenofmybestscholars:asdet,respectable,modest,andwell-informedyoungwomenascouldbefoundintheranksoftheBritishpeasantry.Andthatissayingagreatdeal;forafterall,theBritishpeasantryarethebesttaught,bestmannered,mostself-respegofanyinEurope:sihosedaysIhaveseenpaysannesandBauerinnen;aofthemseemedtomeignorant,coarse,aed,paredwithmyMirls.

    “Doyousideryouhavegotyourrewardforaseasoion?”askedMr.Rivers,whentheyweregone.“Doesnotthesciousnessofhavingdonesoodinyourdayandgeiongivepleasure?”

    “Doubtless.”

    “Andyouhaveonlytoiledafewmonths!Wouldnotalifedevotedtothetaskeingyourracebewellspent?”

    “Yes,”Isaid;“butIcouldnotgoonforeverso:Iwanttoenjoymyownfacultiesaswellastocultivatethoseofotherpeople.Imustenjoythemnow;don’trecalleithermymindorbodytothe