being little accustomed to learn by heart, the lessons appeared
to me both long and difficult; the frequent change from task
to task, too, bewildered me; and I was glad when, about
three o'clock in the afternoon, Miss Smith put into my hands
a border of muslin two yards long, together with needle,
thimble, etc., and sent me to sit in a quiet corner of the school-
room, with directions to hem the same. At that hour most of
the others were sewing likewise; but one class still stood
round Miss Scatcherd's chair reading, and as all was quiet,
the subject of their lessons could be heard, together with the
manner in which each girl acquitted herself, and the animad-
versions or commendations of Miss Scatcherd on the per-
formance. It was English history; among the readers I
observed my acquaintance of the verandah: at the commence-
ment of the lesson her place had been at the top of the class,
but for some error of pronunciation, or some inattention to
stops, she was suddenly sent to the very bottom. Even in that
obscure position Miss Scatcherd continued to make her an
object of constant notice: she was continually addressing to
her such phrases as the following: --

" Burns" (such it seems was her name; the girls here were
all called by their surnames, as boys are elsewhere) -- " Burns,
you are standing on the side of your shoe; turn your toes out
immediately."" Burns, you poke your chin most unpleas-
antly; draw it in."" Burns, I insist on your holding your
head up; I will not have you before me in that attitude,"
etc., etc.

A chapter having been read through twice, the books were
closed and the girls examined. The lesson had comprised part
of the reign of Charles I., and there were sundry questions
about tonnage and poundage and ship-money, which most of
them appeared unable to answer; still every little difficulty was
solved instantly when it reached Burns; her memory seemed
to have retained the substance of the whole lesson, and she
was ready with answers on every point. I kept expecting that
Miss Scatcherd would praise her attention; but, instead of
that, she suddenly cried out: --

"You dirty, disagreeable girl! you have never cleaned your
nails this morning!"

Burns made no answer: I wondered at her silence.

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