bout their words, but one's
thoughts!

No, I don't think I could do it, really. I suppose my Aunt Kezia would
say I ought. I do so dislike my Aunt Kezia's oughts. She always thinks
you ought to do just what you do not want. If only people would say,
now and then, that you ought to eat plum-pudding, or you ought to dance,
or you ought to wear jewels! But no! it is always you ought to sew, or
you ought to carry some broken victuals to old Goody Branscombe, or you
ought to be as sweet as a rosebud when Hatty says things at you.

Stop! would it be so if I always wanted to do the things I ought? I
suppose not. Then why don't I?

But why ought I? There's another question.

I wish we either wanted to do what we ought, or else that we ought to do
what we want!

I was obliged to stop last night all at once, because I heard Hatty
coming up the garret stairs. I always write in the garret and keep my
book there, so that none of the girls shall get hold of it--Hatty
particularly. She would make such shocking game of it. I had only just
put my book away safely when in she came.

"What on earth are you doing up here?" cried she.

"What are you doing?" said I.

"Looking for you," she says.

"Then why should not I be looking for you?" said I.

"Because you weren't, Miss Caroline Courtenay!" and she makes a swimming
courtesy. "Oh yes, you don't need to tell me you have a secret, my
young gentlewoman. I know as well as if I had seen it. O Pussy, have
you come too? Do you know what it is, Pussy? Does she come up here to
read her love-letters--does she? Oh, how charming! Wouldn't I like to
see them! How does she get them, Pussy? She has been rather fond of
going to see Elspie this past week or two; is that it, Pussy? Won't you
tell me, my pretty, pretty cat?"

"Hatty, don't be so absurd!" cried I.

"We know, don't we, Pussy?" says Hatty in a provoking whisper to the cat
in her arms. "I thought there would be somebody at Carlisle that she
would be sorry to leave--didn't you, Pussy-cat? What is he like, Pussy?
Tall and dark, I'll wager, with a pair of handsome mustachios, and the
most beautiful black eyes you ever saw! Won't that be about it, Pussy?"

I could have thrown the cat at her. How could any mortal creature be
sweet, or keep quiet, talked to in that way? I flew out.

"Hatty, you are the most vexatious tease that ever lived! Do, for
pity's sake, go down and let me alone. You know perfectly