human
Here is a splendid girl. She is not what I expected to see. This is a girl to cultivate and bring out--a girl to do one credit.
gpt
Miss Fleming? I am sure it is. You are _exactly_ the sort of a girl I expected.
human
I am the wife of your late guardian's nephew--Mr. Gabriel Cassilis. You have never met him yet; but I hope you will very soon make his acquaintance.
gpt
Thank you,
human
We used to think, until Mr. Dyson died and his preposterous will was read, that his eccentric behaviour was partly your fault. But when we found that he had left you nothing, of course we felt that we had done you an involuntary wrong. And the will was made when you were a mere child, and could have no voice or wish in the matter.
gpt
I had plenty of money, said Phillis;
human
Forty thousand pounds a year! and all going to Female education. Not respectable Female education. If it had been left to Girton College, or even to finding bread-and-butter, with the Catechism and Contentment, for charity girls in poke bonnets, it would have been less dreadful. But to bring up young ladies as you were brought up, my poor Miss Fleming----
gpt
Am I not respectable?
human
My dear child, I hear you cannot even read and write.
gpt
That is quite true.
human
But everybody learns to read and write. All the Sunday school children even know how to read and write.
gpt
Perhaps that is a misfortune for the Sunday school children, Phillis calmly observed;
human
At least every one in society knows them. Miss Fleming, I am ten years older than you, and, if you will only trust me, I will give you such advice and assistance as I can.
gpt
You are very kind, said Phillis, with a little distrust, of which she was ashamed.
human
I know that I must be very ignorant, because I have already seen so much, that I never suspected before. If you will only tell me of my deficiencies I will try to repair them. And I can learn reading and writing any time, you know, if it is at all necessary.
gpt
Then let us consider. My poor girl, I fear you have to learn the very rudiments of society. Of course you are quite ignorant of things that people talk about. Books are out of the question. Music and concerts; art and pictures; china--perhaps Mr. Dyson collected?
human
No.
gpt
A pity. China would be a great help; the opera and theatres; balls and dancing; the rink----
human
What is the rink?
gpt
The latest addition to the arts of flirtation and killing time. Perhaps you can fall back upon Church matters. Are you a Ritualist?
human
What is that?
gpt
My dear girl --Mrs. Cassilis looked unutterable horror as a thought struck her--
human
No. Mr. Dyson used to read prayers every day. Why should people go to church when they pray?
gpt
Why? why? Because people in society all go; because you must set an example to the lower orders. Dear me! It is very shocking! and girls are all expected to take such an interest in religion. But the first thing is to learn reading.