She did, in her heart, feel it to be a liberty.

Surely this wandering showman would find no difficulty in getting his grandchild taken care of among people of his own rank in life.

It did seem most singular that he should seek to place the child with her.

Mrs.Walsham was not given to thinking what her neighbours would say, but she thought of the buzz of comment and astonishment which her taking the charge of this child would excite.

She had been particular in keeping her little school to some extent select, and as it was now as large as she could manage unaided, she was able to make it almost a favour to the farmers' wives to take their girls.
But to do Mrs.Walsham justice, this thought had less influence with her than that of the time and care which would be required by a child of that age in the house.