Phyllis, listening, merely curled her lip, and bent lower in silence
over her book. Nell remained looking at Hetty with a wondering
expression in her eyes. Miss Davis drew herself up and looked much
displeased.

"I hope you are doing yourself great injustice," she said; "I cannot
believe you really mean what you say. Study not make people prettier or
pleasanter! I scarcely believe that my ears have not deceived me."

"It does not make you prettier or pleasanter," said Hetty persistently.
"You were much nicer yesterday when you were playing and running about.
Your face is not the same at all now."

Phyllis opened her eyes wide and turned them on Miss Davis, as if to
ask, "Is not this too much?" Nell, on the contrary, began to smile as
though she thought Hetty's impudence capital fun; and this encouraged
Hetty, who had been taught to love to amuse people at any cost. Miss
Davis coloured with surprise and annoyance.

"It is of no consequence, my dear, how we look when we are doing our
duty," she said, controlling herself.

"Then I hope I shall never do my duty," said Hetty coolly; "nobody loves
people who do not look gay."

Phyllis turned to Miss Davis and said, "Will you not send her away now?
Mother never meant us to be interrupted like this."

"Patience, my dear!" said Miss Davis; "Hetty is perhaps giving us the