Mrs. Mason was a very worthy woman, but, like many other worthy
women, she had her foibles; and one (very natural to her calling)
was to pay an extreme regard to appearances. Accordingly, she had
already selected in her own mind the four girls who were most
likely to do credit to the "establishment;" and these were
secretly determined upon, although it was very well to promise
the reward to the most diligent. She was really not aware of the
falseness of this conduct; being an adept in that species of
sophistry with which people persuade themselves that what they
wish to do is right.
At last there was no resisting the evidence of weariness. They
were told to go to bed; but even that welcome command was
languidly obeyed. Slowly they folded up their work, heavily they
moved about, until at length all was put away, and they trooped
up the wide, dark staircase.
"Oh! how shall I get through five years of these terrible nights!
in that close room! and in that oppressive stillness! which lets
every sound of the thread be heard as it goes eternally backwards
and forwards," sobbed out Ruth, as she threw herself on her bed,
without even undressing herself.
"Nay, Ruth, you know it won't be always as it has been to-night.
We often get to bed by ten o'clock, and by-and-by you won't mind
the closeness of the room. You're worn-out to-night, or you would
not have minded the sound of the needle; I never hear it.
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