6/31 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, &c. Well, it is time for me to be going. I will think the matter over after church." Mr.Knight did think the matter over and after consultation with his housekeeper, Mrs.Parsons, an advertisement appeared in _The Times_ and _The Spectator_ inviting parents and guardians to entrust two or three lads to the advertiser's care to receive preliminary education, together with his own son. It proved fruitful, and after an exchange of the "highest references," two little boys appeared at Monk's Acre, both of them rather delicate in health. This was shortly before the crisis arose as to the future teaching of Isobel, when the last governess, wishing her "a better spirit," had bidden her a frigid farewell and shaken the dust of Hawk's Hall off her feet. |