Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v109.djvu/1031



"My rules are few and simple, but imperative. I must beg that in your association with my daughter you will follow them with the utmost scrupulousness. I give her a large personal liberty, but I am exceedingly determined on several points that seem to me of importance. She must never, in any circumstances, hear or be addressed in so-called 'baby-talk.' I wish her to hear pure English and pure French and to use them naturally. Her pronunciation still leaves much to be desired, as you have doubtless observed. She has great trouble with r and j, but we will at least refrain from increasing her difficulties by addressing her in the extraordinary gibberish most mothers affect. Moreover, she must be spared the myths of childhood—the fairy-tales, the goblins, the Santa Claus and reindeer fables. Nor must reference be made in her hearing to the various traditions of religion. She is not aware that there is fear or falsehood in the world. The time will come when I will no longer be able to spare her this knowledge, but at least we can do so now. She must not play with other children, as their minds and conversation are full of trivialities. There must be no corporal punishment. When she does wrong, that wrong-doing must be explained to her, and her moral sense must be developed, so that she will condemn and correct her aberrations."

He smiled stiffly on the governess as he ended—a well-meaning smile which did not materially lighten the burden of responsibility that seemed to be settling upon her at his words. She felt, too, a natural apprehension, the expression of which rushed impetuously to her lips.

"It is—of an interest, yes, Professor Seymour," she said, slowly. "But I find myself alarmed—a little. It is unusual, such a training; is it not so? And I have great fear that I may not—quite understand."

Professor Seymour looked alarmed himself at this.

"I beg that you will not indulge in