’What Jane was going to say was that she did not think the place had been good for either of the girls; but all that would be obviated by your presence.  If poor Miss Vincent joins you, now that she is free, you would have your own schoolroom again, and the locality would not make much difference.  Indeed, if the Rotherwood party come by the end of the holidays, I have very little doubt that Victoria will allow Valetta to join Phyllis and Mysie in the schoolroom, and that would prevent any talk about her removal from the High School.  The poor little thing has behaved as well as possible ever since, and is an excellent companion; Jane is sure that it has been a lesson that will last her for life, and I am convinced that she was under an influence that you can put an end to—–­I mean that White family.  Jane thinks well of the eldest daughter, in spite of her fringe and of her refusal to enter the G.F.S.; but I have good reason for knowing that she holds assignations in Mr. White’s garden on Sunday afternoons with young Stebbing, whose mother knows her to be a most artful and dangerous girl, though she is so clever at the mosaic work that there is no getting her discharged.  Mrs. Stebbing called to warn us against her, and, as I was the only person at home, told me how she had learnt from Mr. White’s housekeeper that this girl comes every Sunday alone to walk in the gardens—–­she was sure it must be to meet somebody, and they are quite accessible to an active young man on the side towards the sea.  He is going in a few days to join the other partner at the Italian quarries, greatly in order that the connection may be broken off.  It is very odd that Jane, generally so acute, should be so blind here.  All she said was, “That’s just the time Gillian is so bent on mooning in the garden.”  It is a mere absurdity; Gillian always goes to the children’s service, and besides, she was absent last Sunday, when Miss White was certainly there.  But Gillian lends the girl books, and altogether patronises her in a manner which is somewhat perplexing to us; though, as it cannot last long, Jane thinks it better not to interfere before your return to judge for yourself.  These young people are members of the Kennel Church congregation, and I had an opportunity of talking to Mr. Flight about them.  He says he had a high opinion of the brother, and hoped to help him to some higher education, with a view perhaps to Holy Orders; but that it was so clearly the youth’s duty to support his mother, and it was so impossible for her to get on without his earnings, that he (Mr. Flight, I mean) had decided to let him alone that his stability might be proved, or till some opening offered; and of late there had been reason for disappointment, tokens of being unsettled, and reports of meetings with some young woman at his sister’s office.  It is always the way when one tries to be interested in those half-and-half people,—–­the essential vulgarity is sure to break out, generally in the spirit of flirtation conducted in an underhand manner.  And oh! that mother!  I write all this because you had better be aware of the state of things before your return.  I am afraid, however, that between us we have not written you a very cheering Christmas letter.