“You are in a fair way to understand it if you study Greek,” answered Mrs. Murray, laughing at the puzzled expression of the child’s countenance.

Mr. Hammond smiled, and replied:  “A ‘blue-stocking,’ my dear, is generally supposed to be a lady, neither young, pleasant, nor pretty (and in most instances unmarried); who is unamiable, ungraceful, and untidy; ignorant of all domestic accomplishments and truly feminine acquirements, and ambitious of appearing very learned; a woman whose fingers are more frequently adorned with ink-spots than thimble; who holds housekeeping in detestation, and talks loudly about politics, science, and philosophy; who is ugly, and learned, and cross; whose hair is never smooth and whose ruffles are never fluted.  Is that a correct likeness, Ellen?”

“As good as one of Brady’s photographs.  Take warning, Edna.”

“The title of ‘blue-stocking,’” continued the pastor, “originated in a jest, many, many years ago, when a circle of very brilliant, witty, and elegant ladies in London, met at the house of Mrs. Vesey, to listen to and take part in the conversation of some of the most gifted and learned men England has ever produced.  One of those gentlemen, Stillingfleet, who always wore blue stockings, was so exceedingly agreeable and instructive, that when he chanced to be absent the company declared the party was a failure without the blue stockings,’ as he was familiarly called.  A Frenchman, who heard of the circumstance, gave to these conversational gatherings the name of ‘bas bleu,’ which means blue stocking; and hence, you see, that in popular acceptation, I mean in public opinion, the humorous title, which was given in compliment to a very charming gentleman, is now supposed to belong to very tiresome, pedantic, and disagreeable ladies.  Do you understand the matter now?”

“I do not quite understand why ladies have not as good a right to be learned and wise as gentlemen.”

“To satisfy you on that point would involve more historical discussion than we have time for this morning; some day we will look into the past and find a solution of the question.  Meanwhile you may study as hard as you please, and remember, my dear, that where one woman is considered a blue-stocking, and tiresomely learned, twenty are more tiresome still because they know nothing.  I will obtain all the books you need, and hereafter you must come to me every morning at nine o’clock.  When the weather is good, you can easily walk over from Mrs. Murray’s.”

As they drove homeward, Edna asked: 

“Has Mr. Hammond a family?”

“No; he lost his family years ago.  But why do you ask that question?”

“I saw no lady, and I wondered who kept the house in such nice order.”

“He has a very faithful servant who attends to his household affairs.  In your intercourse with Mr. Hammond be careful not to allude to his domestic afflictions.”

Mrs. Murray looked earnestly, searchingly at the girl, as if striving to fathom her thoughts; then throwing her head back, with the haughty air which Edna had remarked in St. Elmo, she compressed her lips, lowered her veil, and remained silent and abstracted until they reached home.