punish Sam!"

"It is time that Sam should show that he has the feelings of a manly
boy," said Miss Fosbrook, looking full at him. "He knows that I must
keep my word, and that I have no strength to fight with him.--Sam, go
and finish your tea on the window-seat."

Her clear brown eyes looked full at him as she spoke, and all the
young population watched to see what he would do. He hesitated a
moment, then took up his cup and plate, and sat down in the window-
seat.

Miss Fosbrook breathed freely, and she had almost said, "Thank you,
Sam," but she did not think this was the time; and collecting
herself, she said, "Fun is all very well, and I hope we shall have
plenty, but we ought not to let it grow riotous; and I don't think it
was of a good sort when it was complaining of the food provided for
us."

The children were all rather subdued by what she said; some felt a
little cross, and some rather ashamed; and when Mary brought back the
dish replenished with slices, no one said a word as to whether the
butter were thick or thin. The silence seemed to David a favourable
occasion for renewing the great question, "How does a pig pay the
rent?"

There was a general giggle, and again Miss Fosbrook was as bad as
any: while David, looking affronted, tapped the table with the
handle of his spoon, and repeated, "I want to know."