“I hate him, so I do! the old tyrant!  He’s no business to give me such long, hard lessons and then scold because I don’t recite perfectly.”

Here conscience reminded her that she could easily have mastered her task if her time had not been wasted over a story-book.

“It’s a pity if I can’t have the pleasure of reading a story once in a while,” she said in reply; “and I’m not going to give up doing it either for him or anybody else.  He reads stories himself; and if it’s bad, it’s worse for grown folks than for children.  Oh, how I do wish I was grown up and could do just as I please!”

Then came to mind her father’s assurance that even grown people could not always follow their own inclinations; also his expressions of deep gratitude to Mr. Dinsmore and Grandma Elsie for giving his children a home with them and taking the trouble to teach and train them up for useful and happy lives.  Lulu well knew that Mr. Dinsmore received no compensation for his labors in behalf of her brother and sister and herself, and that few people would be at such pains for no other reward than the consciousness of doing good; and reflecting upon all this, she at length began to feel really ashamed of her bad behavior.

Yet pride prevented her from fully acknowledging it even to her own heart.  But recalling the doubt he had expressed as to whether he would ever again hear a recitation from her, she began to feel very uneasy as to what might be the consequence to her of such a refusal on his part.

Her education must go on; that she knew; but who would be her teacher if Mr. Dinsmore refused?  In all probability she would be sent away to the much-dreaded boarding-school.  Indeed she felt quite certain of it in case the question should be referred to her father; for had he not warned her that if she were troublesome or disobedient to Mr. Dinsmore, such would be her fate?

A fervent wish arose that he might not be appealed to—­might forever be left in ignorance of this her latest act of insubordination.  She would, it was true, have to make a report to him of the day’s conduct, but she could refrain from telling the whole story; could smooth the matter over so that he would not understand how extremely impertinent and passionate she had been.

Everything that had passed between Mr. Dinsmore and herself had been seen and heard by all her fellow-pupils, and the thought of that did not tend to lessen Lulu’s mortification and dread of consequences.

“Rosie will treat me more than ever like the Pharisee did the publican,” she said bitterly to herself, “Max and Gracie will be ashamed of their sister, Walter will look at me as if he thought me the worst girl alive, and perhaps Evelyn won’t be my friend any more.  Mr. Dinsmore will act as if he didn’t see me at all, I suppose, and Grandma Elsie and Aunt Elsie and Mamma Vi will be grave and sad.  Oh dear, I ’most think I’m willing to go to boarding-school to get away from it all!”