Bessie started up from her place and rushed out of the room; while
Miss Fosbrook indignantly exclaimed,

"Really, boys, I can't think how you can be so ill-natured!"

They looked up as though it were quite a new light to them; and Susan
exclaimed,

"Oh, Miss Fosbrook! they don't mean it: Sam and Hal never were ill-
natured in their lives."

"I don't know what you call ill-natured," said Miss Fosbrook, "unless
it is saying the very things most likely to vex another."

"I don't mean to vex anybody," said Henry, "only we always go on so,
and nobody is such a baby as to mind, except Bessie."

And Sam muttered, "One can't be always picking one's words."

"I am not going to argue about it," said Miss Fosbrook; "and it is
time to get ready for church. Only I thought manliness was shown in
kindness to the weak, and avoiding what can pain them."

She went away; and Susan was the first to exclaim,

"I didn't think she'd have been so cross!"

"Stuff, Sue!" said Sam; "it's not being cross. I like her for having
a spirit; but one can't be finikin and mealy-mouthed to suit her