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Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"

I don't know that I've
anything more to say. We know what we're about, and there's an end
of it."
So saying, the old man went out of the room. There was a difference
in him henceforth, something which Ida noticed, though she could not
explain it. On the following day he spoke with her on a matter she
was surprised to hear him mention, her education. He had been
thinking, he said, that she ought to learn to play the piano, and be
taught foreign languages. Wouldn't she like him to find some lady
who could live in the house and teach her all these things? Ida's
thoughts at once ran to the conclusion that this had been suggested
by Waymark, and, when she found that her grandfather really wished
it, gave a ready assent. A week or two later the suitable person had
been discovered--a lady of some thirty years of age, by name Miss
Hurst. She was agreeable and refined, endowed. moreover, with the
tact which was desirable in one undertaking an office such as this.
Ida found her companionship pleasant, and Mr. Woodstock con
gratulated himself on having taken the right step.
At the same time that the governess came to the house, Waymark left
it. He returned to his old lodgings, and, with an independence which
was partly his own impulse, partly the natural result of the slight
coolness towards him which had shown itself in Mr.


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