Wilson made various objections, and Jane skilfully obviated them all. At last she said, "There would be a piece of linen to make up for David, and that put it quite out of the question, for," said she, "I shall not take the girls from their studies; and even you, Miss Jane, will probably have the grace to think my time more precious than yours."
"Well, aunt," said Jane, with a smile so sweet that even Mrs. Wilson could not entirely resist its influence, "if I will get the linen made by witch or fairy, may I go?"
"Why, yes," replied her aunt; "as you cannot get it made without witches or fairies, I may safely say you may."
Jane's reliance was on kindness more potent than any modern magic; and that very evening, with the light-bounding step of hope, she went to her friend Mary's, where, after having made her acknowledgments to Mr. Lloyd with the grace of earnestness and sincerity, she revealed to Mary the only obstacle that now opposed her wishes. Mary at once, as Jane expected, offered to make the linen for her; and Jane, affectionately thanking her, said, she was sure her aunt would be satisfied, for she had often heard her say, "Mary Hull was the best needle woman in the county."
Mrs. Wilson had seen Jane so uniformly flexible and submissive to her wilful administration, and in matters she deemed of vastly more consequence than six months schooling, that she
