“I think she will make a fine girl—­that is, with due attention,” said his wife.  She would have expressed her meaning more accurately if she had said, “I think she will make a fine impression—­will attract admiration, if her manners are only cultivated.”

“Would you like to have her remain with us permanently?”

“I rather think I should.  I like her very well.”  This was uttered in a very calm tone.

“What school would you send her to if she should remain?”

“I would not send her to any school.  She is old enough to go into society; and all that she needs is a little attention to her manners.”

“She is only sixteen years old.”

“She is quite tall, and will pass for eighteen at least.  If we make a school-girl of her, she can’t go into society for a year or more to come.”

“It was a part of my plan to give her a thorough education.”

“It is a part of my plan to have some one to go into society with me.”

“I do not believe her parents will consent to part with her, except on condition that she shall spend several years in one of our best schools.”

“Then let them keep her and make a milkmaid of her.  If I take a girl and fit her for society, and introduce her into the circle in which I move, I wish to be understood as conferring a favor, not as receiving one.”

“My dear, you know that the ideas of those who have always lived in the country must, of necessity, be somewhat contracted.  We must not judge them by the standard to which we are accustomed.”

“We ought not to make the girl suffer for the follies of her parent, to be sure.  You can say what you please to them about it, and then the matter can be left with her.  She will be glad to escape the drudgery of school, I dare say.”

“I think not.  She has an ardent desire for knowledge; and the strongest inducement I can set before her to come to the city is the means it furnishes for gratifying that desire.”

“There are other gratifications furnished by the city which she will soon learn to prize more highly.  Let her once be at home here, and be introduced to society, and her desire for book-knowledge will not trouble her much.  I know more about women than you do, perhaps.”

Mr. Clifton was silent.  The last remark of his wife made a deep impression upon his mind.  Certain it was that his knowledge of woman was rather more extensive and of a different character from that which he had expected to acquire, when he lived amid the green fields of the country, ere the stain of worldliness was upon his soul.

“I like Susan,” said Mrs. Clifton.  “I think she will prove quite attractive.  I have never seen a girl from the country who appeared so well.  She has a quick sense of propriety, and will give me very little trouble to fit her for society.”

“I am glad you like her,” said.  Mr. Clifton.  “Her residence with us will make our home more cheerful; and, with your example before her, her manners will soon become those of a finished lady.”