If he had sent his wife the first time , as he did the second , it would have been wiser . People generally do what Mrs. Allan asks them to do because they know it saves time . Mrs. Allan talked smoothly for half an hour before she mentioned the Sunday School , and paid me several compliments . Mrs. Allan is famous for her tact . Tact is a faculty for meandering around to a given point instead of making a bee-line . I have no tact . I am noted for that . As soon as Mrs. Allan 's conversation came in sight of the Sunday School , I , who knew all along whither it was tending , said , straight out , `` What class do you want me to teach ? '' Mrs. Allan was so surprised that she forgot to be tactful , and answered plainly for once in her life , `` There are two classes -- one of boys and one of girls -- needing a teacher . I have been teaching the girls ' class , but I shall have to give it up for a little time on account of the baby 's health . You may have your choice , Miss MacPherson . '' `` Then I shall take the boys , '' I said decidedly . I am noted for my decision . `` Since they have to grow up to be men it 's well to train them properly betimes . Nuisances they are bound to become under any circumstances ; but if they are taken in hand young enough they may not grow up to be such nuisances as they otherwise would and that will be some unfortunate woman 's gain . '' Mrs. Allan looked dubious . I knew she had expected me to choose the girls . `` They are a very wild set of boys , '' she said . `` I never knew boys who were n't , '' I retorted . `` I -- I -- think perhaps you would like the girls best , '' said Mrs. Allan hesitatingly .
If it had not been for one thing -- which I would never in this world have admitted XXXXX Mrs. Allan -- I might have liked the girls ' class best myself .
If Since as because before for in of that to