THE INDOLENT CORRECTED. 89

side. * She was now drawing near her eighteenth year
—a happy epoch to her, for she was then to be
released. from further study and lessons.

On her birthday her mother went in the morning
to Eglantine’s room, and sat beside her for a while.

‘Eglantine,’ said she, ‘you are eighteen years old
to-day, and at that age people have generally com-
pleted their education. Up to this day I have done
all in my power to correct and instruct you, and here
is a proof of how you repaid me. This is the journal
of which I spoke to you so often ; it contains a detail
of all you have lost since your childhood, and all the
useless expenses you have occasioned me. I have
added to it the list kept by your governess and your
waiting-maid, and the amount of all gives a total of
fully more than £400 !”

‘Mamma, is that really possible ?’ asked Eglantine.

“Tis too true, Eglantine ; and bear well in mind
that I have not put down any indispensable expenses.
Think what your masters have cost me ;—however, I
am glad to see that you write pretty well now—you
read music passably. I have not mentioned those
two masters in my journal, though I had to keep them
many more years teaching you than I should have
required to have done had you applied yourself better.