thea's view of the case, Rachel should do as she was bidden. But
then how was Rachel to be made to do as she was bidden? How was her
sister to enforce her attendance? Obedience in this world depends as
frequently on the weakness of him who is governed as on the strength
of him who governs. That man who was going to the left is ordered by
you with some voice of command to go to the right. When he hesitates
you put more command into your voice, more command into your
eyes,--and then he obeys. Mrs. Prime had tried this, but Rachel had
not turned to the right. When Mrs. Prime applied for aid to their
mother, it was a sign that the power of command was going from
herself. After dinner the elder sister made another little futile
attempt, and then, when she had again failed, she trudged off with
her basket.

Mrs. Ray and Rachel were left sitting at the open window, looking out
upon the mignionette. It was now in July, when the summer sun is at
the hottest,--and in those southern parts of Devonshire the summer
sun in July is very hot. There is no other part of England like it.
The lanes are low and narrow, and not a breath of air stirs through
them. The ground rises in hills on all sides, so that every spot is
a sheltered nook. The rich red earth drinks in the heat and holds it,
and no breezes come up from the southern torpid sea. Of all counties
in England Devonshire is the fairest to the eye; but, having known it
in its summer glory, I must confess that those southern regions are
not fitted for much noonday summer walking.

"I'm afraid she'll find it very hot with that big basket," said Mrs.
Ray, after a short pause. It must not be supposed that either she or
Rachel were idle because they remained at home. They both had their
needles in their hands, and Rachel was at work, not on that coloured
frock of her own which had roused her sister's suspicion, but on
needful aid to her mother's Sunday gown.

"She might have left it in Baslehurst if she liked," said Rachel, "or
I would have carried it for her as far as the bridge, only that she
was so angry with me when she went."

"I don't think she was exactly angry, Rachel."

"Oh, but she was, mamma;--very angry. I know by her way of flinging
out of the house."

"I think she was sorry because you would not go with her."

"But I don't like going there, mamma. I don't like that Miss Pucker.
I can't go without staying to tea, and I don't like drinking tea
there." Then there was