Many and amusing were the disputes between the two girls concerning their peculiarities of speech, Carrie bidding ’Lena “quit her Yankee habit of eternally guessing,” and ’Lena retorting that “she would when Carrie stopped her everlasting reckoning.”  To avoid the remarks of the neighbors, who she knew were watching her narrowly, Mrs. Livingstone had purchased ’Lena two or three dresses, which, though greatly inferior to those worn by Carrie and Anna, were still fashionably made, and so much improved ’Lena’s looks, that her manners improved, also, for what child does not appear to better advantage when conscious of looking well?  More than once had her uncle’s hand rested for a moment on her brown curls, while his thoughts were traversing the past, and in fancy his fingers were again straying among the silken locks now resting in the grave.  It would seem as if the mother from her coffin was pleading for her child, for all the better nature of Mr. Livingstone was aroused; and when he secured the services of Mr. Everett, who was highly recommended both as a scholar and gentleman, he determined that ’Lena should share the same advantages with his daughters.  To this Mrs. Livingstone made no serious objection, for as Mr. Everett would teach in the house, it would not do to debar ’Lena from the privilege of attending his school; and as the highest position to which she could aspire was to be governess in some private family, she felt willing, she said, that she should have a chance of acquiring the common branches.

And now Mr. Everett was daily expected.  Anna, who had no fondness for books, greatly dreaded his arrival, thinking within herself how many pranks she’d play off upon him, provided ’Lena would lend a helping hand, which she much doubted.  John Jr., too, who for a time, at least, was to be placed under Mr. Everett’s instruction, felt in no wise eager for his arrival, fearing, as he told ’Lena that “between the ‘old man’ and the tutor, he would be kept a little too straight for a gentleman of his habits;” and it was with no particular emotions of pleasure that he and Anna saw the stage stop before the gate one pleasant morning toward the middle of November.  Running to one of the front windows, Carrie, ’Lena, and Anna watched their new teacher, each after her own fashion commenting upon his appearance.

“Ugh,” exclaimed Anna, “what a green, boyish looking thing!  I reckon nobody’s going to be afraid of him.”

“I say he’s real handsome,” said Carrie, who being thirteen years of age, had already, in her own mind, practiced many a little coquetry upon the stranger.

“I like him,” was ’Lena’s brief remark.

Mr. Everett was a pale, intellectual looking man, scarcely twenty years of age, and appearing still younger so that Anna was not wholly wrong when she called him boyish.  Still there was in his large black eye a firmness and decision which bespoke the man strong within him, and which put to flight all of Anna’s preconceived notions of rebellion.  With the utmost composure he returned Mrs. Livingstone’s greeting, and the proud lady half bit her lip with vexation as she saw how little he seemed awed by her presence.