the odd ways of her charges, and at what they put her in mind of,
sometimes gravely thinking whether she had said or done the wisest
things for them, or what their mother would have most approved. She
was just going to move away from the window, when she saw a little
figure curled up on the floor, with her head on the window-seat.
"Bessie, my dear, what are you doing here? Why are not you gone
out?"

"I don't want to go out."

"I thought they were to have a great game at whoop-hide."

"I don't like whoop-hide. Johnnie pulls the clothes off my back."

"My dear, I hope you are not staying in because they called you those
foolish names. It was all in good humour."

"It was not kind," said Elizabeth, her throat swelling. "It was not
true."

"Perhaps not; but you did not speak to give your reasons; and who
could tell how good they might be?"

"I've a right to my secrets as well as they have," said the little
maiden.

Miss Fosbrook looked kindly at her, and she turned wistful eyes on
the young governess.

"Miss Fosbrook, will you keep a secret?"