Later, they had discovered the library, a sunny room at the south side of the house, stored with an excellent collection of books, and had gone there to read when it pleased them.

I, in my capacity of governess, encouraged them in this habit, and at least once a week we had a "reading day," as we called it.

Mrs.Beatty knew our day, and had coffee and a blazing fire awaiting us.

And here we had delicious times of study, with our books in our laps, perched on the steps of the little ladder, or buried deep in the recesses of the deep leathern chairs.
Now, however, the luxury of our quiet days was interfered with.

Workmen hammered about our ears, and an impertinent odour of paint annoyed us.
We turned our reading days into days of general inspection, and amused ourselves with watching how the dingy corners threw off their cobwebs one after another, and came forth into the light with clean and brilliant faces.