He had always had the masculine opinion that women, in certain primeval respects, were cut on one pattern, and his opinion was being rudely shaken.
"Call Emma, please," said Ida to Maria, and Maria obeyed.
When the maid came in, Ida directed her to take the child up-stairs and put on another frock.
Maria was about to follow, but Harry stopped her.

"Maria," said he.
Maria stopped, and eyed her father with surprise.
"Maria," said Harry, bluntly, "your mother and I have been talking about your going away to school." Maria turned slightly pale and continued to stare at him, but she said nothing.
"She thinks, and I don't know but she is right," said Harry, with painful loyalty, "that your associates here are not just the proper ones for you, and that it would be much better for you to go to boarding-school." "How much would it cost ?" asked Maria, in a dazed voice.

The question sounded like her own mother.
"Father can manage that; you need not trouble yourself about that," replied Harry, hurriedly.
"Where ?" said Maria, then.
"To a nice school where your mother was educated." "My mother ?" "Ida--to Wellbridge Hall." "How often should I come home and see you and Evelyn?
Every week ?" "I am afraid not, dear," said Harry, uneasily.
"How long are the terms ?" asked Maria.
"Only about twelve weeks," said Ida.
Maria stood staring from one to the other.

Her face had turned deadly pale, and had, moreover, taken on an expression of despair and isolation.

Somehow, although the little girl was only a few feet from the others, she had a look as if she were leagues off, as if she were outside something vital, which removed her, in fact, to immeasurable distances.