ollie that I knew you would come. "Do
you think she will have the heart to stay away when she knows that we
are perfectly famished for a sight of her?" that was what I said when
Mollie was plaguing me to let her go to Woodcote this morning.'

'But I was expecting her, Mrs. Blake,' returned Audrey, drawing the girl
to her side as she stood apart rather awkwardly. 'I thought it was
unkind of Mollie to desert me the first morning. Every time the door
opened I said to myself, "That is Mollie." I half made up my mind to be
offended at last.'

'There, mamma, I told you so!' observed Mollie rather piteously; 'I knew
Miss Ross would be hurt; that is why I begged so hard to go.'

'Poor mamma! she is always in the wrong,' returned Mrs. Blake, with a
touch of petulance. 'I put it to you, Miss Ross: would it not have been
utter want of consideration on my part to allow Mollie to hinder you
with her chattering just when you were unpacking and so dreadfully busy?
"Take my advice, and stop away until you are wanted," that is what I
said to Mollie, and actually the foolish child got into a regular pet
about it; yes, you may look ashamed of yourself, Mollie, but you know I
said I should tell Miss Ross. You can see by her eyes how she has been
crying, and all because I insisted you were not to be worried.'

'Mollie never worries me,' returned Audrey, with a kind look at her
favourite's flushed face.

But she did not dare pursue the subject; she knew poor Mollie was often
thwarted in her little plans. If her mother had a sudden caprice or whim
to be gratified, Mollie was the one who must always set her own wishes
aside--for whom any little disappointment was judged salutary. Perhaps
the discipline did not really harm Mollie; her humility and
unselfishness guarded her against any rankling bitterness.

'Mamma never likes me to do things without her,' she said later on that
afternoon. 'I think she is a little jealous of my going to you so much,
Miss Ross; she was so angry when I asked to run across this morning,
because she said I wanted you all to myself. I know I was silly to cry
about it, but I was so sure you would be expecting me; and last night
mamma made me come out with her, and I wanted to stay at home and watch
for you: we went all the way to Brail; that is quite mamma's favourite
walk now--and, oh, I was so tired.'

'But you must not fret, Mollie; and of course you must do as your mother
wishes: you know I shall always unde