The spelling lesson which followed was rather discouraging; Phebe's ideas of geography were very vague, and grammar was nowhere, though the pupil protested that she tried so hard to "talk nice like educated folks" that Dolly called her "a stuck-up piece who didn't know her place." "Dolly's an old goose, so don't you mind her, for she will say 'nater,' 'vittles,' and 'doos' as long as she lives, and insist that they are right.

You do talk very nicely, Phebe, I've observed it, and grammar will help you, and show you some things are right and others ain't are not, I mean," added Rose, correcting herself, and feeling that she must mind her own parts of speech if she was to serve as an example for Phebe.
When the arithmetic came, the little teacher was surprised to find her scholar quicker in some things than herself, for Phebe had worked away at the columns in the butcher's and baker's books till she could add so quickly and correctly that Rose was amazed, and felt that in this branch the pupil would soon excel the teacher if she kept on at the same pace.
Her praise cheered Phebe immensely, and they went bravely on, both getting so interested that time flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared, exclaiming, as she stared at the two heads bent over one slate, "Bless my heart, what is going on now ?" "School, aunty.

I'm teaching Phebe, and it's great fun!" cried Rose, looking up with a bright face.
But Phebe's was brighter, though she added with a wistful look, "Maybe I ought to have asked leave first; only when Miss Rose proposed this, I was so happy I forgot to.

Shall I stop, ma'am ?" "Of course not, child; I'm glad to see you fond of your book, and to find Rose helping you along.

My blessed mother used to sit at work with her maids about her, teaching them many a useful thing in the good old fashion that's gone by now.