Six to Sixteen: A Story for Girls

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  "'I've got a pink silk here,' said I, 'and pink shoes.'"]

  SIX TO SIXTEEN. _A STORY FOR GIRLS._

  BY JULIANA HORATIA EWING.

  LONDON: SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C. NEW YORK: E. & J. B. YOUNG & CO.

  [Published under the direction of the General Literature Committee.]

  DEDICATION.

  TO MISS ELEANOR LLOYD.

  MY DEAR ELEANOR,

  I wish that this little volume were worthier of being dedicated to you.

  It is, I fear, fragmentary as a mere tale, and cannot even plead as anexcuse for this that it embodies any complete theory on the vexedquestion of the upbringing of girls. Indeed, I should like to say thatit contains no attempt to paint a model girl or a model education, andwas originally written as a sketch of domestic life, and not as avehicle for theories.

  That it does touch by the way on a few of the many strong opinions Ihave on the subject you will readily discover; though it is so longsince we held discussions together that I hardly know how far your viewswill now agree with mine.

  If, however, it seems to you to illustrate a belief in the joys andbenefits of intellectual hobbies, I do not think that we shall differ onthat point; and it may serve, here and there, to recall one, nearly asdear to you as to me, for whom the pleasures of life were at leastdoubled by such interests, and who found in them no mean resource undera burden heavier than common of life's pain.

  That, whatever labour I may spend on this or any other bit ofwork--whatever changes or confirmations time and experience may bring tomy views of people and things--I cannot now ask her approval of the one,or delight in the play of her strong intellect and bright wit over theother, is an unhealable sorrow with which no one sympathizes more fullythan you.

  This story was written before her death: it has been revised without herhelp.

  Such as it is, I beg you to accept it in affectionate remembrance of oldtimes and of many common hobbies of our girlhood in my Yorkshire homeand in yours.

  J. H. E.

  CONTENTS.

  CHAP. PAGE

  Introduction 11

  I. My Pretty Mother--Ayah--Company 20

  II. The Cholera Season--My Mother Goes Away--My Sixth Birthday 26

  III. The Bullers--Matilda takes Me up--We Fall Out--Mr. George 34

  IV. Sales--Matters of Principle--Mrs. Minchin Quarrels with the Bride--Mrs. Minchin Quarrels with Everybody--Mrs. Minchin is Reconciled--The Voyage Home--A Death on Board 40

  V. A Home Station--What Mrs. Buller thought of it--What Major Buller thought of it 53

  VI. Dress and Manner--I Examine Myself--My Great-Grandmother 59

  VII. My Great-Grandmother--The Duchess's Carriage--Mrs. O'Connor is Curious 67

  VIII. A Family History 73

  IX. Hopes and Expectations--Dreams and Daydreams--The Vine--Elspeth--My Great-Grandfather 84

  X. Thomas the Cat--My Great-Grandfather's Sketches--Adolphe is my Friend--My Great-great-great-Grandfather Disturbs my Rest--I Leave The Vine 96

  XI. Matilda's News--Our Governess--Major Buller turned Tutor--Eleanor Arkwright 103

  XII. Poor Matilda--The Awkward Age--Mrs. Buller takes Counsel with her Friends--The 'Milliner and Mantuamaker'--Medical Advice--The Major Decides 120

  XIII. At School--The Lilac Bush--Bridget's Posies--Summer-- Health 138

  XIV. Miss Mulberry--Discipline and Recreation--Madame-- Conversation--Eleanor's Opinion of the Drawing-master-- Miss Ellen's--Eleanor's Apology 146

  XV. Eleanor's Theories reduced to Practice--Studies--The Arithmetic-master 159

  XVI. Eleanor's Reputation--The Mad Gentleman--Fancies and Follies--Matilda's Health--The New Doctor 166

  XVII. Eleanor's Health--Holy Living--The Prayer of the Son of Sirach 175

  XVIII. Eleanor and I are late for Breakfast--The School Breaks Up--Madame and Bridget 179

  XIX. Northwards--The Black Country--The Stone Country 183

  XX. The Vicarage--Keziah--The Dear Boys--The Cook--A Yorkshire Tea--Bed-fellows 191

  XXI. Gardening--Drinkings--The Moors--Wading--Batrachosperma-- The Church--Little Margaret 197

  XXII. A New Home--The Arkwrights' Return--The Beasts--Going to Meet the Boys--Jack's Hat-box--We Come Home a Rattler 209

  XXIII. I Correspond with the Major--My Collection--Occupations-- Madame Again--Fete de Village--The British Hooray 219

  XXIV. We and the Boys--We and the Boys and our Fads--The Lamp of Zeal--Clement on Unreality--Jack's Ointment 234

  XXV. The "Household Album"--Sketching under Difficulties--A New Species?--Jack's Bargain--Theories 242

  XXVI. Manners and Customs--Clique--The Lessons of Experience-- Out Visiting--House-pride--Dressmaking 257

  XXVII. Matilda--Ball Dresses and the Ball--Gores--Miss Lining--The 'Parishioner's Pennyworth' 269

  XXVIII. I go Back to The Vine--After Sunset--A Twilight Existence--Salad of Monk's-hood--A Royal Summons 279

  XXIX. Home Again--Home News--The Very End 293