IN THE BIDING-SCHOOL. 161 



country grown ; it will be wonderful if he can 

 lengthen a stirrup leather, and, before allowing 

 such an one to tighten a girth for you, you 

 would better alight and take shelter behind a 

 tree, and a good large tree, because he may 

 drive your horse half frantic by his well-meant 

 unskilfulness. Besides, Mrs. Grundy very se- 

 verely frowns on the woman who rides alone, 

 and there is no appeal from Mrs. Grundy's 

 wisdom. Sneer at her, deride her, try, if you 

 will, to undermine her authority, but obey her 

 commands and yield to her judgment if you 

 would have the respect of men, and, what is 

 of more consequence, the fair speech of women. 

 And so, Esmeralda, as you really have no cause 

 for repining, go away to your class lesson, which 

 has a double interest for you and Nell, because 

 of the wicked pleasure which you derive from 

 hearing the master quietly crush the society 

 young lady with unanswerable logic. 



You have seen him with a class of obedient, 

 well-bred little girls, and know how persuasive 

 he can be to a child who is really frightened. 

 You have seen him surrounded by a class of 

 eager small boys, and beset with a clamorous 



