I need not narrate in detail the further struggles
I had, and arguments I used, to get matters regarding
the legacy settled as I wished. My task was
a very hard one; but, as I was absolutely resolved
— as my cousins saw at length that my mind
was really and immutably fixed on making a just division
of the property — as they must in their
own hearts have felt the equity of the intention;
and must, besides, have been innately conscious that
in my place they would have done precisely what I
wished to do — they yielded at length so
far as to consent to put the affair to arbitration.
The judges chosen were Mr. Oliver and an able lawyer:
both coincided in my opinion: I carried my
point. The instruments of transfer were drawn
out: St. John, Diana, Mary, and I, each became
possessed of a competency.
CHAPTER XXXIV
It was near Christmas by the time all was settled:
the season of general holiday approached. I
now closed Morton school, taking care that the parting
should not be barren on my side. Good fortune
opens the hand as well as the heart wonderfully; and
to give somewhat when we have largely received, is
but to afford a vent to the unusual ebullition of
the sensations. I had long felt with pleasure
that many of my rustic scholars liked me, and when
we parted, that consciousness was confirmed:
they manifested their affection plainly and strongly.
Deep was my gratification to find I had really a
place in their unsophisticated hearts: I promised
them that never a week should pass in future that I
did not visit them, and give them an hour’s
teaching in their school.
Mr. Rivers came up as, having seen the classes, now
numbering sixty girls, file out before me, and locked
the door, I stood with the key in my hand, exchanging
a few words of special farewell with some half-dozen
of my best scholars: as decent, respectable,
modest, and well-informed young women as could be
found in the ranks of the British peasantry.
And that is saying a great deal; for after all, the
British peasantry are the best taught, best mannered,
most self-respecting of any in Europe: since
those days I have seen paysannes and Bauerinnen; and
the best of them seemed to me ignorant, coarse, and
besotted, compared with my Morton girls.
“Do you consider you have got your reward for
a season of exertion?” asked Mr. Rivers, when
they were gone. “Does not the consciousness
of having done some real good in your day and generation
give pleasure?”
“Doubtless.”
“And you have only toiled a few months!
Would not a life devoted to the task of regenerating
your race be well spent?”
“Yes,” I said; “but I could not
go on for ever so: I want to enjoy my own faculties
as well as to cultivate those of other people.
I must enjoy them now; don’t recall either my
mind or body to the school; I am out of it and disposed
for full holiday.”
