Part 17 (1/2)
”What sort of little things?” said Rotha curiously.
”A lady in the first place will be always careful and delicate about her own person and dress; it does not depend upon what she wears, but how she wears it; a lady might wear patches, but never could be untidy. Then, in all her moving, speaking, and acting, she will be gentle, quiet, and polite. And in her behaviour to others, she will give everybody the respect that is due, and never put herself forward. 'In honour preferring one another,' is the Bible rule, and it is the law of good breeding. And the Bible says, 'Honour all men;' and, 'Be courteous.'--Have I spoken according to your mind, Mrs. Carpenter?”
”Beautifully,” said the silent, pale seamstress, never stopping her needle. ”Better than I could have done it. Now you know, Rotha.”
Rotha stood considering, uneasy.
”What is the next question?” said Mr. Digby smiling.
”I was thinking--” said Rotha. ”Mustn't one know a good deal, to do all that?”
”To do what, for instance?”
”To give everybody the respect that is due; it is not the same to everybody, is it?”
”No, certainly.”
”How can one know?”
”There _is_ a good deal to be learned in this world, before one can hold the balance scales to weigh out to each one exactly what belongs to him,”
Mr. Digby admitted.
”That is one of my troubles,” said Mrs. Carpenter looking up. ”I cannot give my child an education. I do a little at home; it is better than nothing; but I feel that my power grows less and less; and Rotha's needs are more and more.”
”What do you know, Rotha?” said Mr. Digby.
”I don't know much of anything!” said the girl, an eloquent flush coming into her pale face. It touched him.
”A little of what, then?” said their visiter kindly.
”You would not say it was anything.”
”She knows a little history,” Mrs. Carpenter put in.
”Have you any acquaintance with Alexander of Macedon, Rotha?”
”The Great? asked Rotha.
”He is called so.”
”Yes, I know about him.”
”Think he deserved the t.i.tle?”
”Yes, I suppose he did.”
”What for?”
”He was such a clever man.”
”Well, I have no doubt he was,” Mr. Digby returned, keeping a perfectly grave face with some difficulty; ”a clever man; but how did he shew it?”