t might be that his wife could not do better at present; but
experience would come, and in that case, she would be obtaining
experience as well as earning three-halfpence. And, moreover,
petticoats made at Manor Cross would, he thought, undoubtedly be better
than any that could be bought. He came, however, to no final decision;
and Mary, finding herself every morning sitting in a great petticoat
conclave, hardly had an alternative but to join it.

It was not in any spirit of complaint that she spoke on the subject to
her father as the winter came on. A certain old Miss Tallowax had come
to the deanery, and it had been thought proper that Lady George should
spend a day or two there. Miss Tallowax, also, had money of her own,
and even still owned a share in the business; and the Dean had pointed
out, both to Lord George and his wife, that it would be well that they
should be civil to her. Lord George was to come on the last day, and
dine and sleep at the deanery. On this occasion, when the Dean and his
daughter were alone together, she said something in a playful way about
the great petticoat contest.

"Don't you let those old ladies sit upon you," said the Dean. He smiled
as he spoke, but his daughter well knew, from his tone, that he meant
his advice to be taken seriously.

"Of course, papa, I should like to accommodate myself to them as much
as I can."

"But you can't, my dear. Your manner of life can't be their manner, nor
theirs yours. I should have thought George would see that."

"He didn't take their part, you know."

"Of course he didn't. As a married woman you are entitled to have your
own way, unless he should wish it otherwise. I don't want to make this
matter serious; but if it is pressed, tell them that you do not care to
spend your time in that way. They cling to old fashions. That is
natural enough; but it is absurd to suppose that they should make you
as old-fashioned as themselves."

He had taken the matter up quite seriously, and had given his daughter
advice evidently with the intention that she should profit by it. That
which he had said as to her being a married woman struck her forcibly.
No doubt these ladies at Manor Cross were her superiors in birth; but
she was their brother's wife, and as a married woman had rights of her
own. A little spirit of rebellion already began to kindle itself within
her bosom; but in it there was nothing of mutiny against her husband.
If he were to desire her t