During this scene Arthur stood at his desk pretending to study,
but glancing every now and then at Elsie, with a conscience
evidently ill at ease. She cast an imploring glance at him, as she
returned to her seat; but he turned away his head, muttering,
"It's all her own fault, for she wouldn't let me help her."

As he looked up again, he caught his sister Lora's eyes fixed on
him with an expression of scorn and contempt. He colored
violently, and dropped his eyes upon his book.

"Miss Day," said Lora, indignantly, "I see Arthur does not mean to
speak, and as I cannot bear to see such injustice, I must tell you
that it is all his fault that Elsie has failed in her lessons; for
she tried her very best, but he teased her incessantly, and also
jogged her elbow and made her spill the ink on her book; and to
her credit she was too honorable to tear out the leaf from her
copy-book, or to let him make her example right; both which he
very generously proposed doing after causing all the mischief."

"Is this so, Arthur?" asked Miss Day, angrily.

The boy hung his head, but made no reply.

"Very well, then," said Miss Day, "you too must stay at home."

"Surely," said Lora, in surprise, "you will not keep Elsie, since
I have shown you that she was not to blame."

"Miss Lora," replied her teacher, haughtily, "I wish you to
understand that I am not to be dictated to by my pupils."