is how you're going to talk
to me.'

'The less the better, perhaps--at all events for a time. But there's
one or two things on my mind, and I'll say them now. I don't know
whether you think anything about it, but you must have seen that things
are getting worse and worse at home. Your mother--'

'She's no mother of mine!' broke in Clara angrily.

'She's been a mother to you in kindness, that's certain, and you've
repaid her almost as ill as you could have done. Another girl would
have made her hard life a bit easier. No; you've only thought of
yourself. Your father walks about day after day trying to get work, and
how do you meet him when he comes home? You fret him and anger him; you
throw him back ill-tempered words when he happens to think different
from you; you almost break his heart, because you won't give way in
things that he only means for your good--he that would give his life
for you! It's as well you should hear the truth for once, and hear it
from me, too. Anyone else might speak from all sorts of motives; as for
me, it makes me suffer more to say such things than it ever could you
to hear them. Laugh if you like! I don't ask you to pay any heed to
what _I_'ve wished and hoped; but just give a thought to your father,
and the rest of them at home. I told him to-night he'd only to trust
you, that you never could do anything to make him ashamed of you. I
said so, and I believe it. Look, Clara! with all my heart I believe it.
But now you've got your way, think of them a little.'

'It isn't your fault if I don't know how bad I am,' said the girl with
a half-smile. That she did not resent his lecture more decidedly was no
doubt due to its having afforded new proof of the power she had over
him. Sidney was shaken with emotion; his voice all but failed him at
the last.

'Good-bye,' he said, turning away.

Clara hesitated, looked at him, but finally also said 'Good-bye,' and
went on alone.

She walked with bent head, and almost passed the house-door in absence
of thought. On the threshold was standing Miss Peckover; she drew aside
to let Clara pass. Between these two was a singular rivalry. Though by
date a year younger than Clara, Clem gave no evidence of being
physically less mature. In the matter of personal charms she regarded
herself as by far Miss Hewett's superior, and resented vigorously the
tone of the latter's behaviour to her. Clara, on the other hand, looked
down upon Miss Peckover as a mere vu