Evelyn had been greatly shocked and surprised at Lulu’s outburst of temper, for she had become strongly attached to her, and had not known her to be capable of such an exhibition of passion.

During the scene in the school-room, Rosie sent angry glances at Lulu, but Evelyn sat silent with eyes cast down, unwilling to witness her friend’s disgrace.  Max hid his face with his book, Gracie wept, and little Walter looked on in silent astonishment.

“She is the most ill-tempered piece I ever saw!” remarked Rosie, aloud, as the door closed upon Lulu for the second time.

“Rosie,” said her grandfather, sternly, “let me hear no more such observations from your lips.  They are entirely uncalled for and extremely uncharitable.”

Rosie reddened and did not venture to speak again, or even to so much as raise her eyes from her book for some time.

The out-door air was quite keen and cold; Lulu was beginning to feel chilled, and debating in her own mind whether to return at once to the house spite of the danger of meeting some one who knew of her disgrace, and was therefore likely to look at her askance, when a light, quick step approached her from behind and two arms were suddenly thrown around her neck.

“Oh, Lu, dear Lu,” said Evelyn’s soft voice, “I am so, so sorry!”

“Eva!  I did not think you would come to find me; do you really care for me still?” asked Lulu, in subdued tones, and half averting her face.

“Of course I do.  Did you suppose I was not a true friend that would stand by you in trouble and disgrace, as well as when all goes prosperously with you?”

“But it was my own fault for not learning my lesson better, in the first place, and then for answering Grandpa Dinsmore as I did when he reproved me,” said Lulu, hanging her head.  “I know papa would say so if he were here, and punish me severely too.”

“Still I’m sorry for you,” Eva repeated.  “I’m not, by any means, always good myself; I might have neglected my lessons under the same temptation, and if my temper were naturally as hot as yours I don’t know that I should have been any more meek and respectful than you were under so sharp a rebuke.”

“It’s very good in you to say it; you’re not a bit of a Pharisee; but I think Rosie is very much like the one the Bible tells about; the one who thought himself so much better than the poor publican.”

“Isn’t it just possible you may be a little hard on Rosie?” suggested Eva, with some hesitation, fearing to rouse the ungovernable temper again.

But Lulu did not show any anger.  “I don’t think I am,” she replied, quite calmly.  “What did she say after I left the room?”

Eva was very averse to tale-bearing, so merely answered the query with another.  “Why do you suppose she said anything?”

“Because I know her of old; she dislikes and despises me, and is always ready to express her sentiments whenever the slightest occasion offers.”