Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. I, 1889.djvu/205

and left the legacy of which came so little profit. That was in 1873. State education had recently made a show of establishing itself, and in the Hewetts' world much argument was going on with reference to the new Board-schools, and their advantages or disadvantages when compared with those in which working-folk's children had hitherto been taught. Clara went to a Church-school, and the expense was greater than the new system rendered necessary. Her father's principles naturally favoured education on an independent basis, but a prejudice then (and still) common among workpeople of decent habits made him hesitate about sending his girl to sit side by side with the children of the street. And he was confirmed by Clara's own view of the matter. She spoke with much contempt of Board-schools, and gave it to be understood that her religious convictions would not suffer her to be taught by those who made light of orthodoxy. This attitude was intelligible enough in a child of sharp wit and abundant self-esteem. Not-