The Charm School
Encouraged by his kind manner, Sally broke out: "Oh, Mr. Bevans, I agreed with every word you said, but I don't see how I ever can be made into a charming woman of the world—you know I can't, and so I think I'd just better go away and not be a blot on the school."
"Sally," said Austin, and this time he spoke with great severity, "you must understand that that is entirely a question for me to decide. I intend to retain you as a pupil. When in my opinion you become a blot, you will hear from me. Until then confine your attention to matters within your comprehension. You can be made anything I decide to make you. That will do."
Immensely relieved and hopelessly intimidated, Sally withdrew, and was swallowed up at the door by a questioning group whose voices, all talking at once, could be heard moving away down the corridor.
Presently the door opened and Mr. Johns entered, but, to Austin's profound disappointment, entered alone. "Ready to go?" he demanded, briskly.
"Quite," answered Bevans, "only, I thought you would want to see your granddaughter."
"Oh, I've seen her," said Johns. "Was
[ 41 ]