iss Charlotte's apples had been ten times finer than mine, would that
be any consideration to me? You very well know, Sir, that I am no
glutton; neither should I have taken any notice of the preference you
showed her, had it not been for that saucy little creature's looks. I
never wish to see her more: and, as for you, fall down on your knees
this instant, or I never will forgive you while I live."

Little William could not think of submitting to such an indignity, as
that would be confessing a fault, of which he was not guilty, and
therefore now stood more upright than before. "I am no story-teller,
Miss Amelia," said he, "and therefore it is very wrong in you not to
believe what I so positively affirm; for I certainly had no design to
vex you."

"Very wrong in me, Sir!" replied Amelia. "This is pretty indeed! But you
need not thus affront me, because Miss Charlotte is your favourite!" So
saying, and bestowing a contemptuous curtsy on him, she left him with an
affected air of scorn and contempt.

Dinner being now ready, they sat down at table, but pouted at each other
all the time it lasted. Amelia would not once drink, in order to avoid
saying, "Your good health, William;" and William, on his part, was so
vexed at her treatment of him, that he was determined not to give up the
point. Amelia, however, could not help sometimes stealing a glance at
William, and, from a corner of her eye, watch all his motions. As it
happened, one of these sly glances met the eye of William, who was
equally attentive to watch all the emotions of Amelia, without wishing
to be observed. Their eyes thus meeting, she instantly turned hers away
to another object; and as William attributed this to contempt, which in
reality it was not, he affected much indifference, and continued eating
with the most apparent composure.

As soon as the cloth was removed, and the wine and fruit put on the
table, poor Amelia, being sadly out of temper at the indifference she
experienced from William, made a disrespectful answer to a question put
to her by her mamma, and, for a second offence of the same nature, was
ordered to retire from table. She obeyed, and bursting into a flood of
tears, instantly withdrew, without caring whither she went. However, it
so happened that the garden door was open; she therefore flew down the
walk, and went into the arbour, in order there, in secret, to vent her
grief. Here she cried most lamentably; and soon repented of her
q