did she stare at him so? Well, he could stare back, and then blue eyes
and brown confronted each other for some moments with unblinking defiance
in their gaze. At last Teddy's patience gave way, and twisting up his
little features into a most grotesque grimace, he mounted a hassock to
give her the full benefit of it.

Instantly, out came a little red tongue at him, and at this daring piece
of audacity he gasped out loud, 'I hate you!' Then, as all eyes in the
surrounding pews were turned upon him, and his mother's shocked gaze met
his, Teddy crimsoned to the roots of his hair, and taking up a large
Prayer-book, he used it as a shield from his small antagonist during the
remainder of the service. As the congregation were leaving the church
later on, the rector made his way to young Mrs. Platt, who was lingering
talking to a neighbour. He was a grey-haired, gentle-faced man, with a
slow dreamy manner in speaking.

'Mrs. John, what has happened to make your little boy so forget himself
this morning?'

'Indeed, sir, I cannot say. I really thought he was going to be
good to-day.'

'I think he had better come to tea with me this afternoon, and we will
have a little talk together.'

Teddy looked up with awe in his blue eyes. He well knew that this was the
rector's usual practice when any delinquent was brought before his
notice, but it had never yet fallen to his lot to receive the invitation.
Mr. Upton had his own way of doing things, so people said, and he had
greater faith in reasoning with any culprits than scolding them, whether