own life, I cannot tell; but she replied very tartly.

"You're none the worse for my education, mother, or you would not be
sitting here."

"Very true, child," replied granny; "but recollect, neither would you
have married a marine--a private marine, Bella, while your sister looks
up to the officers. Ay," continued the old woman, leaving off her
knitting and looking at her daughter, "and is likely to get one, too, if
she plays her cards well--that Lieutenant Flat can't keep out of the
shop." (My granny having at this moment given me an opportunity to
replace her snuff-box, I did not fail to profit by it; and as I
perceived her knitting-pin had dropped on the floor, I stuck it into the
skirt of her gown behind, so that whenever she looked for it, it was
certain ever to be behind her.)

"Mr Flat is of a very respectable family, I hear say," continued my
grandmother.

"And a great fool," interrupted my mother. "I hope Milly won't listen
to him."

"He's an officer," replied my granny, "not a private."

"Well, mother, I prefer my private marine, for I can make him do as I
please; if he's a private, I'm commanding officer, and intend so to be
as long as I live."

"Well, well, Bella, let us say no more on the old score; but that boy
must go to school. Deary me, I have dropped my needle."

My grandmother rose, and turned round and round, looking for her needle,
which, strange to say, she could not find; she opened her snuff-box, and
took a pinch to clear her optics. "Deary me, why, what's the matter
with my snuff? and where can that needle be? Child, come and look for
the needle; don't be sticking there in that corner."

I thought proper to obey the order and pretended to be very diligent in
my search. Catching aunt Milly's eye, I pointed to the knitting-needle
sticking in the hind skirts of my grandmother's gown, and then was down
on my knees again, while my aunt held her handkerchief to her mouth to
check her laughter.

A minute afterwards, Ben the marine first tapped gently, and then opened
the door and came in; for at that late hour the officers were all at
dinner, and the shop empty.

"There are three parcels of books for you to take," said my mother; "but
you've plenty of time, so take down the tea-things, and get your tea in
the kitchen before you go."

"You haven't got a shilling, Bella, about you? I want some 'baccy,"
said Ben, in his quiet way.

"Yes, here's a shilling, Ben; but don't drink to