“ Bon! But let me tell you these are not quiet, decorous, English girls you are going to encounter. Ce sont des Labassecouriennes, rondes, franches, brusques, et tant soit peu rebelles. ” 9

I said: “I know; and I know, too, that though I have studied French hard since I came here, yet I still speak it with far too much hesitation⁠—too little accuracy to be able to command their respect: I shall make blunders that will lay me open to the scorn of the most ignorant. Still I mean to give the lesson.”

“They always throw over timid teachers,” said she.

“I know that too, Madame; I have heard how they rebelled against and persecuted Miss Turner”⁠—a poor friendless English teacher, whom Madame had employed, and lightly discarded; and to whose piteous history I was no stranger.