"Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learned. The Miss Webbs all play, and their father has not so good an income as yours. Do you draw?"

     "No, not at all."

     "What, none of you?"

     "Not one."

     "That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters."

     "My mother would have had no objection, but my father hates London."

     "Has your governess left you?"

     "We never had any governess."

     "No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education."

     Elizabeth could hardly help smiling as she assured her that had not been the case.

     "Then, who taught you? who attended to you? Without a governess, you must have been neglected."