Strongly did Aunt Maria object, and Helen never defied her wishes in the matter.

But she had all Mrs.
Ascott's determination, with more patience.

She waited long, but she followed her vocation at last.
None of the other girls had any special tastes.

The laborious and expensive education of their childhood did not lead to anything worth the name of a pursuit, much less a hobby, with any one of them.

Of the happiness of learning, of the exciting interest of an intellectual hobby, they knew nothing.