"Is that the way your mother teaches you to answer questions, Ella?"
inquired Mrs. Lee, in a mild, reproachful tone.

"No, no, grandmother," replied Alice, with considerable earnestness; "I
shall tell mother how impudently she spoke to you. A boy has given a
little dog to Oscar, and that was what he was telling us about, just
before he went out."

"Why, grandmother," added Ella, "I did n't mean to be impudent; but I
've noticed that you always want to hear what everybody says, even when
they are not talking to you, and mother says that is n't polite."

"I am much obliged to you, my dear," replied her grandmother, very
meekly; "after I have taken a few more lessons from you, perhaps I
shall know how to behave."

The feelings of the old lady were more hurt by the rudeness of Ella,
than her mild rebukes indicated. Alice felt bound to inform her mother
of what had taken place; and Mrs. Preston was greatly mortified, on
learning that her little daughter had spoken so impudently to her aged
mother. She apologized for Ella, as well as she could, by saying that
she was naturally forward and impulsive. At noon, when the children
returned from school, she called Ella into a room by herself, and
talked with her about her conduct. At first, Ella tried to justify
herself; but after awhile her better nature triumphed, and she felt
heartily ashamed of her treatment of her grandmother. To think that
she, a girl eleven years old, should have attempted to teach her aged
grandmother politeness, and in such an uncivil way, too! No wonder she
hung her head in shame.