it a plan of Julia’s to avoid going to school that day and when he heard
Mrs. Middleton say, "Julia, as it is so cold and chilly, perhaps you had
better not go out," he was rather surprised to hear her reply, "Oh, no,
mother; Mr. Miller is going with us and I would not miss of being there
for anything."

So the party proceeded together to the schoolhouse. When school commenced
Julia took her books and going up to Mr. Wilmot, said, loudly enough for
Mr. Miller to hear: "Mr. Wilmot, do you know that you gave me a very hard
lesson for today?"

"Yes, Julia," said he, "I know it is hard and long, and as you do not seem
well, I will excuse you from as much of it as you choose, or from the
whole of it, if you like."

"No, no," said Julia; "Mr. Miller is here and I would like to show him
that I have improved since last winter, when, as I fear, I was often sadly
remiss in my studies. All I want to tell you is that if I do not recite as
well as usual, you mustn’t scold me a bit; will you?"

"Oh, certainly not," said Mr. Wilmot, and then he added in a tone so low
that no one heard but Julia, "I could not scold you, dear Julia."

Thus flattered, the young lady took her seat and for a time seemed very
intensely occupied with her lessons. At last she opened her portfolio and,
taking from it a sheet of foolscap, cast an exulting glance toward Fanny
and Mr. Miller, the latter of whom was watching her movements. She then
took her gold pencil and commenced scribbling something on the paper. By
the time her lesson was called she laid the paper on the desk, and
prepared to do honor to herself and teacher. The moving of the paper