Trifles, as we all know, lead to great events. When Frank Halliburton had gone home, in his usual flying, eager manner, headlong into the subject of Mr. Glenn's request, and Jane consented to grant it, she little thought that it would lead to a considerable increase to her income, enabling them to several comforts, and better private instruction than her own easy for her sons.  
Not that she yielded to the request at once. She took time for consideration. But Frank was urgent; and she was one of those ever ready to do a good turn for others. The Glenns, as Frank said, did write English wretchedly; and if she could help to improve them without losing time or money, neither of which she could afford, why not do so? And she consented.
 
It certainly did occur to Mrs. Halliburton to wonder that Mr. Glenn had not provided private instruction for his sons, to remedy the deficiencies existing in the college school system. Mr. Glenn suddenly awoke to the same wonder himself. The fact was, that he, like many other gentlemen in Helstonleigh who had sons in the college school, had been content to let things take their chance: possibly he assumed that spelling and composition would come to his sons by intuition, as they grew older. The contrast Frank Halliburton presented to Philip aroused him from his neglect.
 
Jane consented to allow the two young Glenns to share the time and instruction she gave to her own boys. Mr. Glenn received the favour gladly; but, at first, there was great battling with the young gentlemen themselves. They could not be made to complete their lessons for school, so as to be at Mrs. Halliburton's by the hour appointed. At length it was , and they took to going regularly.
 
Before three months had elapsed, great improvement had become visible in their spelling. They were also acquiring an insight into English grammar; had learnt that America was not in the , or watered by the Nile; and that English history did not consist of two incidents—the beheading of King Charles, and the Plot. Improvement was also visible in their manners and in the of their minds. From being , self-willed, and careless, they became more considerate, more ; and Mr. Glenn actually once heard Philip decline to in some scrape, because it would "not be right."
 
For it was impossible for Jane to have lads near her, and not gently try to their faults and failings, as she would have done by her own sons; whilst the consideration and paid by the young Halliburtons to their mother, their warm affection for her, and the pleasant peace, the of tone and manner distinguishing their home, told upon Philip and Charles Glenn with good influence. At the end of three months, Mr. Glenn wrote a note of warm thanks to Mrs. Halliburton, expressing a hope that she would still allow his sons the privilege of joining her own, and, in a delicate manner, begging grace for his act, enclosed four guineas; which was payment at the rate of sixteen guineas a year for the two.
 
Jane had not expected it. Nothing had been hinted to her about payment, and she did not expect to receive any: she did not understand that the boys had joined on those terms. It was very welcome. In writing back to Mr. Glenn, she stated that she had not expected to receive remuneration; but she of her straitened circumstances and thanked him for the help it would be.
 
"That comes from a gentlewoman," was his remark to his wife, when he read the note. "I should like to know her."
 
"I hinted as much to Frank one day, but he said his mother was too much occupied to receive visits or to pay them," was Mrs. Glenn's ............