Lotty was ambitious.

Offers of Mrs.Ledward to teach Ida dressmaking, she had put aside; it was not good enough.
Yet Ida was not in reality remarkable either for industry or quickness in learning.

At both schools she had frequently to be dealt with somewhat severely.

Ability she showed from time to time, but in application she was sadly lacking.

Books were distasteful to her, more even than to most children; she learned sometimes by listening to the teacher, but seldom the lessons given her to prepare.