66 THE WORLD s WORKERS. 



found absence from home a trial, but on the whole 

 her scheme was a success. It gave her courage and 

 independence, and made her stronger for the work 

 v/hich was before her. 



In the spring of 1829 Dr. Carpenter, finding that 

 he did not recover his wonted health, determined to 

 give up the school, and in its place it was decided 

 that Mary, with her mother and sister, should com- 

 mence a school for young ladies. This school was 

 continued for sixteen years, and was fairly successful. 

 The work was hard, but the workers felt that they 

 were toiling for those they loved, and were being of 

 use, and so they were content. In speaking of the 

 work to a friend, Mary said, " School keeping is cer- 

 tainly difficult work, but we have so long been 

 accustomed to have something to do, that I do not 

 think we should be happy without some regular em- 

 ployment which is useful." 



As was to be expected, Miss Carpenter was the 

 mainstay of this new undertaking, and the girls under 

 her charge looked upon her almost with awe as a sort 

 of prodigy. They had reason to do so, for her attain- 

 ments were very far in advance of those of ordinary 

 women of her day. One of the school girls writing 

 home, said, " Miss Carpenter is quite delightful. She 

 understands Greek, Latin, Italian, French, and every 

 other language, for anything I know to the contrary, 

 for I only know of these through hearing her teach 

 them. She is fond of poetry, conchology, and 



