would be quite unapproachable.

Mrs. Brooke surprised Lucy with the unexpected decision that her
deficiencies in dress must keep her at home that day. She felt as if
it was almost wrong to submit,--her dear father would have so much
disapproved of any one's staying away from the house of God for such a
reason. But then she remembered that while under her aunt's charge it
was her duty to yield a deference to her wishes, unless she absolutely
violated her conscience in so doing, and that her father would also
have said, "Ye younger, be subject to the elder," and would have told
her that, though prevented from going up to an earthly sanctuary, she
could worship God at home in the sanctuary of her heart.

But she did not find this so easy, as Stella, glad of the excuse,
insisted on staying at home "to keep Lucy company," though Lucy tried
to make her understand that she was not desirous of having any
"company" while the rest were at church. In vain she tried to fix her
attention on her open Bible. Stella would continually break in with
some remark which, when answered, was sure to lead to another; and
though Lucy's remonstrances at length became somewhat impatient in
their tone, it was evidently hopeless to try to reduce her to silence.
She, however, at last succeeded in persuading her to listen while she
read to Amy, first one or two Bible stories, such as she thought would
interest her most, and then a simple story out of one of her own
Sunday books which she had brought with her. The earnestness with
which Amy drank in every word was a great contrast to Stella's
desultory way of listening; but even _she_ seemed a little interested
in Lucy's reading, and the morning did not seem altogether thrown
away.

But in the afternoon Lucy found that trying to read in the
drawing-room was quite out of the question, her attention being
perpetually distracted by the frivolous conversation almost
continually going on there. First one topic was started, and then
another; and in spite of her efforts to the contrary, she would find
herself listening to the gossiping talk going on around her. At last
she took refuge in her own room to read there in quiet, though she was
before long followed thither by Stella.

"Don't you think, Stella, I might go to church this evening? I don't
like staying at home all day, and no one would notice what I had on,
I'm sure," she asked her cousin.

Stella opened her eyes. "Do you mean to say you really