nce capital fun; and this encouraged
Hetty, who had been taught to love to amuse people at any cost. Miss
Davis coloured with surprise and annoyance.

"It is of no consequence, my dear, how we look when we are doing our
duty," she said, controlling herself.

"Then I hope I shall never do my duty," said Hetty coolly; "nobody loves
people who do not look gay."

Phyllis turned to Miss Davis and said, "Will you not send her away now?
Mother never meant us to be interrupted like this."

"Patience, my dear!" said Miss Davis; "Hetty is perhaps giving us the
worst side of her character only to startle us. I am sure there is a
better side somewhere. Come over here to me, Hetty, and let me hear you
read."

Hetty obeyed, and took the book Miss Davis placed in her hand. Holding
herself very erect and looking very serious she began, after a glance
over the paragraph that had been marked for her:--

"Leonora walked on her head, a little higher than usual."

"My dear!" interrupted Miss Davis hastily; and Nell vainly tried to
smother a burst of laughter.

"That is what is printed here," said Hetty gravely, but the corners of
her mouth twitched. Miss Davis did not notice this as she took the book
and prepared to examine the text so startlingly given forth; but Phyllis
and Nell saw at once that Hetty was making fun.

"Ah!" said Miss Davis, "it is your punctuation that is at fault. The
sentence runs: 'Leonora walked on, her head a little higher than usual.'
You see one little comma makes all the difference in the world."

"I wondered how she could manage to walk on her head," said Hetty in the
most serious manner; "and why, if she did manage it, it should make her
higher. She would be the same length in any case, would she not, Miss
Davis?"

Nell laughed again, and Phyllis looked more and more contemptuous. Miss
Davis said, "Read on please!" rather severely, at the same time giving
Nell a glance of warning.

Hetty read on, making deliberately the most laughable blunders, at some
of which Miss Davis herself had to smile. Even Phyllis had to give way
on one occasion, and in the midst of a chorus of laughter Hetty stood
making a piteous face, pretending not to know what they were laughing
at.

"I told you I could read only a little," she said, but at the same time
she gave Nell a knowing glance which Phyllis caught.

"She could read better if she pleased. She is only amusing herself,"
said Phyllis to Miss Davis.

"I hope