She had an accurate eye, and her outlines had hitherto contrasted favourably with her colouring in copies of the sketches she could not like.

The old drawing-master was delighted with her pencil sketch of his "crockery among the reeds," and Eleanor confessed to getting help from him in the choice and use of her colours.
"Studies" became the fashion among the more intelligent pupils at Bush House; though I have heard that experience justified the old man's prophecy that they would not be so popular with the parents as the former style had been.

"They like lakes, and boats, and mountains, and ruins, and a brighter style of colouring," he had said, and, as it proved, with truth.
Eleanor was his favourite pupil.

Indeed, she was in favour with all the teachers.
A certain quaint little German was our arithmetic-master; a very good one, whose patience was often sorely tried by our stupidity or frivolity.

On such occasions he rained epithets on us, which, from his imperfect knowledge of English, were often comical, and roused more amusement than shame.