Chloe's fears were but too well founded; for the next moment hasty
steps were heard in the passage, and the handle of the door was
laid hold of with no very gentle grasp; and then, as it refused to
yield to her touch, Mrs. Dinsmore's voice was heard in an angry
tone giving the command, "Open this door instantly."

Chloe looked at her young mistress.

"You will have to," said Elsie, tearfully, slipping her work into
her pocket again, and lifting up her heart in prayer for patience
and meekness, for she well knew she would have need of both.

Mrs. Dinsmore entered, leading the sobbing Enna by the hand; her
face was flushed with passion, and addressing Elsie in tones of
violent anger, she asked, "What is the meaning of all this, you
good-for-nothing hussy? Why are you always tormenting this poor
child? Where is that paltry trifle that all this fuss is about?
let me see it this instant."

Elsie drew the purse from her pocket, saying in tearful, trembling
tones, "It is a purse I was making for Miss Rose, ma'am; and I
offered to make another just like it for Enna; but I cannot give
her this one, because there would not be time to make another
before Miss Rose goes away."

"You _can_ not give it to her, indeed! You _will_ not,
you mean; but I say you _shall;_ and I'll see if I'm not
mistress in my own house. Give it to the child this instant; I'll
not have her crying her eyes out that you may be humored in all