on； 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 petency。
Chapter 33
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 i