CHAPTER IX.
Meanwhile the matter of Mary's education was receiving the attention of her aunts.
"Patty," said Miss Cordelia one day, "do you know that child of ours is seventeen ?" The years had dealt kindly with the Misses Spencer and as they looked at each other, with thoughtful benignity, their faces were like two studies in silver and pink.
"Although I say it myself," continued Miss Cordelia, "I doubt if we could have improved her studies.

Indeed she is unusually advanced in French, English and music.

But I do think she ought to go to a good finishing school now for a year or two--Miss Parsons', of course--where she would not only be welcomed because of her family, but where she would form suitable friendships and learn those lessons of modern deportment which we ourselves, I fear, would never be able to teach her." But if you had been there when the subject of Miss Parsons' School for Young Ladies was broached to Mary, I think it would have reminded you of that famous recipe for rabbit pie which so wisely begins "First catch your rabbit." Mary listened to all that was said and then, quietly but unmistakably, she put her foot down on Miss Parsons' fashionable institution of learning.
I doubt if she herself could have given you all her reasons.
For one thing, the older she grew, the more democratic, the more American she was becoming.
Deep in her heart she thought the old original Spencers had done more for the world than any leaders of fashion who ever lived; and when she read or thought of those who had made America, her mind never went to smart society and its doings, but to those great, simple souls who had braved the wilderness in search of liberty and adventure--who had toiled, and fought, and given their lives, unknown, unsung, but never in Mary's mind to be forgotten.

And whenever she thought of travel, she found she would rather see the Rockies than the Alps, rather go to New Orleans than Old Orleans, rather visit the Grand Canyon than the Nile, and would infinitely rather cross the American continent and see three thousand miles of her own country, than cross the Atlantic and see three thousand miles of water that belonged to every one in general and no one in particular.
"But, my dear," said Miss Cordelia, altogether taken aback, "you ought to go somewhere, you know.

Let me tell you about Miss Parsons' school--" "It's no use, Aunty.