"Lora," said Louise, impatiently, "why need you concern yourself
with Elsie's affairs? for my part, I have no pity for her, so full
as she is of nonsensical scruples."

Miss Day crossed the room to where Elsie was sitting leaning her
head upon the desk, struggling hard to keep down the feelings of
anger and indignation aroused by the unjust treatment she had
received.

"Did I not order you to learn that lesson over?" said the
governess, "and why are you sitting here idling?"

Elsie dared not speak lest her anger should show itself in words;
so merely raised her head, and hastily brushing away her tears,
opened the book. But Miss Day, who was irritated by Mrs.
Dinsmore's interference, and also by the consciousness that she
was acting unjustly, seemed determined to vent her displeasure
upon her innocent victim.

"Why do you not speak?" she exclaimed, seizing Elsie by the arm
and shaking her violently. "Answer me this instant. Why have you
been idling all the morning?"

"I have _not_," replied the child hastily, stung to the quick
by her unjust violence. "I have tried hard to do my duty, and you
are punishing me when I don't deserve it at all."

"How dare you? there! take that for your impertinence," said Miss
Day, giving her a box on the ear.