of her obedience.

"Matilda," said Mrs. Candy.

"Yes, ma'am."

"You have been an hour and a half trying to fix that patch."

"Isn't it long enough for one day?" said Matilda, wearily, sitting back
on her heels.

She had got down on the floor the better to manage the work; a large
garment with a large patch to be laid.

"Too long, by an hour; but not long enough, inasmuch as it is not yet
done."

"I am too tired to do it."

"We will see that."

Matilda sat back on her heels, looking at the hopeless piece of linen.
She was flushed, and tired, and angry; but she only sat there looking
at the linen.

"It has got to be done," said Mrs. Candy.

"I must get rested first," said Matilda.

"You are not to say 'must' to me," said her aunt. "My dear, I shall
make you do whatever I order. You shall do exactly what I tell you in
everything. Your times of having your own way are ended. You will do my
way now. And you will put on that patch neatly before you eat."

"Maria will want me."

"Maria will do very well without."

Matilda looked at her aunt in equal surprise and dismay. Mrs. Candy had
not seemed like this before. Nothing had prepared her for it. But Mrs.
Candy was a cold-natured woman, not the less fiery and proud when
roused. She could be pleasant enough on the surface, and in general
intercourse with people; she could have petted Matilda and made much of
her, and was, indeed, quite inclined that way. If only Mrs. Laval had
not taken her up, and if Matilda had not been so independent. The two
things together touched her on the wrong side. She was nettled that the
wish of Mrs. Laval was to see only Matilda, of the whole family; and
upon the back of that, she was displeased beyond endurance that Matilda
should withstand her authority and differ from her opinion. There was
no fine and delicate nature in her to read that of the child; only a
coarse pride that was bent upon having itself regarded. She thought
herself disregarded. She was determined to put that down with a high
hand.

Seeing or feeling dimly somewhat of all this, Matilda sat on the floor
in a kind of despair, looking at her patch.

"You had better not sit so, but go about it," said Mrs. Candy.

"Yes. I am tired," said Matilda.

"You will not go down to dinner," said Mrs. Candy.

Could she stand it? Matilda thought. Could she bear it, and not cry?
She was getting so tired and down-hearted. It was quite plain there
would be no going out th