XIII.
A REMINISCENCE.
I know exactly what your mother wants, Phyllis,' observed Mrs. Hilary.
'It's just to teach them the ordinary things,' said little Miss Phyllis.
'What are the ordinary things?' I ventured to ask.
'What all girls are taught, of course, Mr. Carter,' said Mrs. Hilary. 'I'll write about it at once.' And she looked at me as if she thought that I might be about to go.
'It is a comprehensive curriculum,' I remarked, crossing my legs, 'if one may judge from results. How old are your younger sisters. Miss Phyllis?'
'Fourteen and sixteen,' she answered.
'It is a pity,' said I, 'that this didn't happen a little while back. I knew a governess who would have suited the place to a "t."'
Mrs. Hilary smiled scornfully.
'We used to meet,' I continued.
'Who used to meet?' asked Miss Phyllis.
'The governess and myself, to be sure,' said I, 'under the old apple-tree in the garden at the back of the house.'
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