Privately our friends were but indifferently pleased with any of them; still it was decided to enter the children as pupils there for the present, and, watching carefully over them, remove them at once if any evidence of harmful influence were perceived.

So far as they could learn, the parents of the pupils already there had found no cause for complaint; and, as a school was greatly needed in the vicinity, the Viamede families were desirous to aid in sustaining this should it prove, as they still hoped, a good one.

The children were naturally full of curiosity in regard to their future instructors, and gathering about the ladies on their return, plied them with questions.

“How many boys go to the school, Grandma Elsie, and who teaches them?” queried Max.

“Two questions at a time, Max!” she said pleasantly.

“Yes, ma’am; but if you will please answer one at a time I’ll be entirely satisfied.”

“I think the professor said there were six or eight; and he teaches them himself.  That is, boys of your age and older, Max; the very little ones go into the primary department along with the little girls, and are taught principally by Miss Emily.”

“And who will teach us larger girls, mamma?” asked Rosie.

“Mrs. Manton hears some of the recitations; Miss Diana sits in the schoolroom all the time to keep order, and hears most of the lessons.  Professor Manton has all the classes in Latin, German, and the higher mathematics.”

“Boys and girls both?” asked Lulu.

“Yes, all children are together in those studies.”

“That’s nice,” Max said with satisfaction.

“You like the idea of going to school again, Max?”

“Oh yes, Grandma Elsie; if the fellows I’ll be put with are nice.  You know I haven’t had a boy-companion for a long time—­as a schoolmate, I mean.  But if they turn out sneaks or bullies, I shall not enjoy their company.  I’d rather be with the girls.”

“Oh, Max, how complimentary!” cried Rosie, laughingly; “you would actually prefer our company to that of bullies and sneaks!”

“Now, Rosie, you needn’t make fun of me,” he said, echoing the laugh; “I didn’t mean that you—­that girls—­were only a little to be preferred to such fellows.”

“How far is Oakdale Academy from here, Grandma Elsie?” asked Lulu.

“Two miles; perhaps a trifle more.”

“I think I can walk it; at least in pleasant weather,” remarked Evelyn.

“You will not be required to do that, my dear,” said Grandma Elsie, smiling kindly upon her; “the carriage will take you all there every morning, and bring you home again when school duties are over.”

“How nice! how very kind you are to us all!” exclaimed Evelyn.  “But I think I should enjoy the walk some days, with pleasant company and time enough to take it leisurely.”

“Should you?  Then I shall try to manage it for you.  But it would not do at all for you to go entirely alone.”