Fortunately for the success of my enterprise , Betty liked me . She told me this with the same engaging candor she would have used in informing me that she hated me , if she had happened to take a bias in that direction , saying frankly : `` You are one of the very nicest old folks I know , Stephen . Yes , you are a ripping good fellow ! '' This made my task a comparatively easy one ; I sometimes shudder to think what it might have been if Betty had not thought I was a `` ripping good fellow . '' I should have stuck to it , because that is my way ; but Betty would have made my life a misery to me . She had startling capacities for tormenting people when she chose to exert them ; I certainly should not have liked to be numbered among Betty 's foes . I rode over to Glenby the next morning after my paternal interview with Sara , intending to have a frank talk with Betty and lay the foundations of a good understanding on both sides . Betty was a sharp child , with a disconcerting knack of seeing straight through grindstones ; she would certainly perceive and probably resent any underhanded management . I thought it best to tell her plainly that I was going to look after her . When , however , I encountered Betty , tearing madly down the beech avenue with a couple of dogs , her loosened hair streaming behind her like a banner of independence , and had lifted her , hatless and breathless , up before me on my mare , I found that Sara had saved me the trouble of an explanation . `` Mother says you are going to take charge of my education , Stephen , '' said Betty , as soon as she could speak . `` I 'm glad , because I think that , for an old person , you have a good deal of sense . I suppose my education has to be seen to , some time or other , and I 'd rather you 'd do it than anybody else I know . '' `` Thank you , Betty , '' I said gravely . `` I hope I shall deserve your good opinion of my sense . I shall expect you to do as I tell you , and be guided by my advice in everything . '' `` Yes , I will , '' said Betty , `` because I 'm sure you wo n't tell me to do anything I 'd really hate to do . You wo n't shut me up in a room and make me sew , will you ? Because I wo n't do it . '' I assured her I would not .
`` Nor send me XXXXX a boarding-school , '' pursued Betty .
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