An American family domiciled for a while in England had secured her services as companion to an elderly aunt of theirs, fetching her along with them, on their return to America.  The aunt had been a family torment until the advent of Mrs. MacGregor, but in the hands of that disciplinarian she had become a mild-mannered old body.  On her demise the grateful family settled a small annuity upon her whom they couldn’t help recognizing as their benefactor.  Finding Americans so grateful, Mrs. MacGregor decided to remain among them and with her recommendations secure another position of trust in some wealthy family.  This, then, was the teacher selected by Mr. Jason Vandervelde, who thought her just what Mr. Champneys wanted and his ward probably needed.

Mrs. MacGregor never really liked anybody, but she could respect certain persons highly; she respected Mr. Chadwick Champneys at sight.  His name, his appearance, the fact that Jason Vandervelde was acting for him, convinced her that he was “quite the right sort”—­for an American.  She was as gracious to him as nature permitted her to be to anybody.  And the salary was very good indeed.

It was only when Nancy put in her appearance that Mrs. MacGregor’s satisfaction withered around the edges.  The red on her high cheeks deepened, and she fixed upon her new pupil a cold, appraising stare.  She made no slightest attempt to ingratiate herself; that wasn’t her way; what she demanded, she often said, was Respect.  The impossible young person who was staring back at her with hostile curiosity wasn’t overcome with Respect.  The two did not love each other.

Strict disciplinarian though she might be where others were concerned, Mrs. MacGregor treated herself with lenient consideration.  She was selfish with a fine, Christian zeal that moved Nancy to admiring wonder.  Nancy’s own selfishness had been superimposed upon her by untoward circumstances.  This woman’s selfishness was a part of her nature, carefully cultivated.  She believed her body to be the temple of the Holy Ghost, and she made herself exceedingly comfortable in the building, quite as if the Holy Ghost were an obliging absentee landlord.  Nancy observed, too, that although the servants did not like her, they obeyed her without question.  She got without noise what she wanted.

But she really could teach.  Almost from the first lesson, Nancy began to learn, the pure hatred she felt for her instructress adding rather than detracting from her progress.  Had the woman been broader, of a finer nature, she might have failed here; but being what she was, immovable, hard as nails, narrow and prejudiced, sticking relentlessly to the obviously essential, she goaded and stung the girl into habits of study.