Mrs.Roth swore by Mrs.Kinney, and the mere mention of that lady's name was sufficient to enlist her aid.
Thus armed, Mrs.Stevens lost no time in paying a visit to Miss Jordan's school.

As she entered, the busy hum of childish voices was somewhat stilled; and Lizzy Stevens touched little Em, who sat next her, and whispered, "There is my mother." Mrs.Stevens was welcomed very cordially by Miss Jordan, who offered her the seat of honour beside her.
"Your school seems quite flourishing," she remarked, after looking around the room, "and I really regret being obliged to make a gap in your interesting circle." "I hope you don't intend to deprive me of your little girl," inquired Miss Jordan; "I should regret to part with her--not only because I am very fond of her, but in consideration of her own interest--she is coming on so rapidly." "Oh, I haven't the slightest fault to find with her progress.

_That_," said she, "is not the reason.

I have another, of much more weight.

Of course, every one is at liberty to do as they choose; and we have no right to dictate to you what description of scholars you should receive; but, if they are not such, as we think proper companions for our children, you can't complain if we withdraw them." "I really do not understand you, Mrs.Stevens," said the teacher, with an astonished look: "I have none here but the children of the most respectable persons--they are all as well behaved as school children generally are." "I did not allude to behaviour; that, for all that I know to the contrary, is irreproachable; it is not character that is in question, but colour.