"Excuse me, Miss Day, for correcting you," said Lora, a little
indignantly; "but I did not say _partly,_ for I am sure it
was _entirely_ his fault."

"Hush, hush, Lora," said her mother, a little impatiently; "how
can you be sure of any such thing; Miss Day, I must beg of you to
excuse Arthur this once, for I have quite set my heart on taking
him along. He is fond of mischief, I know, but he is only a child,
and you must not be too hard upon him."

"Very well, madam," replied the governess stiffly, "you have of
course the best right to control your own children."

Mrs. Dinsmore turned to leave the room.

"Mamma," asked Lora, "is not Elsie to be allowed to go too?"

"Elsie is not my child, and I have nothing to say about it. Miss
Day, who knows all the circumstances, is much better able than I
to judge whether or no she is deserving of punishment," replied
Mrs. Dinsmore, sailing out of the room.

"You will let her go, Miss Day?" said Lora, inquiringly.

"Miss Lora," replied Miss Day, angrily, "I have already told you I
was not to be dictated to. I have said Elsie must remain at home,
and I shall not break my word."

"Such injustice!" muttered Lora, turning away.