But the face was full of benevolence , the sonorous voice very kind , the genial manners very winning , and about the whole person an indescribable air of high breeding which made beauty of no consequence , costume soon forgotten , and the moment memorable to the keen-eyed girls whom nothing escaped . A little chat about the rise , growth , and success of this particular class , and then Mrs Jo led the conversation to the English lady 's work , anxious to show her pupils how rank dignifies labour , and charity blesses wealth . It was good for these girls to hear of the evening-schools supported and taught by women whom they knew and honoured ; of Miss Cobbe 's eloquent protest winning the protection of the law for abused wives ; Mrs Butler saving the lost ; Mrs Taylor , who devoted one room in her historic house to a library for the servants ; Lord Shaftesbury , busy with his new tenement-houses in the slums of London ; of prison reforms ; and all the brave work being done in God 's name by the rich and great for the humble and the poor . It impressed them more than many quiet home lectures would have done , and roused an ambition to help when their time should come , well knowing that even in glorious America there is still plenty to be done before she is what she should be -- truly just , and free , and great . They were also quick to see that Lady Abercrombie treated all there as her equals , from stately Mrs Laurence , to little Josie , taking notes of everything and privately resolving to have some thick-soled English boots as soon as possible . No one would have guessed that she had a big house in London , a castle in Wales , and a grand country seat in Scotland , as she spoke of Parnassus with admiration , Plumfield as a ` dear old home ' , and the college as an honour to all concerned in it . At that , of course , every head went up a little , and when my lady left , every hand was ready for the hearty shake the noble Englishwoman gave them , with words they long remembered : ' I am very pleased to see this much-neglected branch of a woman 's education so well conducted here , and I have to thank my friend Mrs Laurence for one of the most charming pictures I 've seen in America -- Penelope among her maids . ' A group of smiling faces watched the stout boots trudge away , respectful glances followed the shabby bonnet till it was out of sight , and the girls felt a truer respect for their titled guest than if she had come in the coach and six , with all her diamonds on . ' I feel better about the `` odd jobs '' now . I only wish I could do them as well as Lady Abercrombie does , ' said one . ' I thanked my stars my buttonholes were nice , for she looked at them and said : `` Quite workmanlike , upon my word , '' added another , feeling that her gingham gown had come to honour . ` Her manners were as sweet and kind as Mrs Brooke 's . Not a bit stiff or condescending , as I expected . I see now what you meant , Mrs Bhaer , when you said once that well-bred people were the same all the world over . ' Mrs Meg bowed her thanks for the compliment , and Mrs Bhaer said : ' I know them when I see them , but never shall be a model of deportment myself . I 'm glad you enjoyed the little visit . Now , if you young people do n't want England to get ahead of us in many ways , you must bestir yourselves and keep abreast ; for our sisters are in earnest , you see , and do n't waste time worrying about their sphere , but make it wherever duty calls them . ' ` We will do our best , ma'am , ' answered the girls heartily , and trooped away with their work-baskets , feeling that though they might never be Harriet Martineaus , Elizabeth Brownings , or George Eliots , they might become noble , useful , and independent women , and earn for themselves some sweet title from the grateful lips of the poor , better than any a queen could bestow . Chapter 18 . CLASS DAY The clerk of the weather evidently has a regard for young people , and sends sunshine for class days as often as he can .
An especially lovely one shone over XXXXX as this interesting anniversary came round , bringing the usual accompaniments of roses , strawberries , white-gowned girls , beaming youths , proud friends , and stately dignitaries full of well-earned satisfaction with the yearly harvest .
Abercrombie English Jo Martineaus Plumfield Shaftesbury Wales deportment evening-schools left