CHAPTER XXII.
EDUCATION FINISHED.
Vacation was over, and again in the halls of Mount Holyoke was heard the tread of many feet, and the sound of youthful voices, as one by one the pupils came back to their accustomed places.

For a time Mary was undecided whether to return or not, for much as she desired an education, she could not help feeling delicate about receiving it from a stranger; but Mrs.Mason, to whom all her thoughts and feelings were confided, advised her to return, and accordingly the first day of the term found her again at Mount Holyoke, where she was warmly welcomed by her teachers and companions.

Still it did not seem like the olden time, for Ida was not there, and Jenny's merry laugh was gone.

She had hoped that her sister would accompany her, but in reply to her persuasions, Ella answered that "she didn't want to work,--she wasn't obliged to work,--and she wouldn't work!" quoting Rose Lincoln's "pain in the side, callous on her hand, and cold on her lungs," as a sufficient reason why every body should henceforth and for ever stay away from Mount Holyoke.
Mrs.Lincoln, who forgot that Rose had complained of a pain in her side long before she ever saw South Hadley, advised Mrs.Campbell, by all means, never to send her daughter to such a place.

"To be sure it may do well enough," said she, "for a great burly creature like Mary Howard, but your daughter and mine are altogether too delicate and daintily bred to endure it." Mrs.Campbell of course consented to this, adding that she had secured the services of a highly accomplished lady as governess for Ella, and proposing that Rose and Jenny, instead of accompanying their mother to the city as usual, should remain with her during the winter, and share Ella's advantages.