e, and if you cannot do
as I wish, you must amuse yourself as best you can."

"And you will not read me any stories at all today?" and there was a
suspicious tremor in the young tones, for the child dearly loved this
recreation, and Violet was a very entertaining reader.

"No; the stories only come after lessons, you know."

Bertha went thoughtfully back to her dolls, and played by herself until
luncheon was brought up, when she sat down at the table and ate
heartily, for by this time she was very hungry.

No mention was made of oysters, and Violet earnestly hoped that that
battle would not have to be fought over again.

After luncheon, blocks and other playthings were called into service,
and the child busied herself with them during the greater part of the
afternoon.

Now and then she would ask some question of Violet, who answered kindly
and pleasantly, but always without looking up from her work or appearing
to be in the least interested in Bertha's employment.

When twilight began to gather, Bertha left her toys and came to sit down
by her teacher--who had now laid aside her work--her young face wearing
a very sober look. After a while she slipped one hand into that of
Violet, who clasped it kindly and drew her still nearer.

"Will you please sing me something, Miss Huntington?" the child asked,
after a while.

"I should be very glad to, Bertha, but I cannot today," was the grave
reply.

Nothing further was said upon that subject, and presently they fell to
talking in a quiet, social way, and this was kept up until dinner was
announced, when Violet and her pupil went down, as was their custom, to
eat with Mr. Lawrence.

"How have the lessons been getting on to-day, little daughter?" Mr.
Lawrence inquired during the meal, and observing that Bertha was more
quiet than usual.

The child grew suddenly crimson, hesitated a moment, and then said:

"I didn't feel much like lessons to-day. Will you take me out for a
drive to-morrow, papa?"

It was evident to all that Miss Bertha wished to change the subject
introduced by her father, and Mr. Lawrence smiled as he glanced
significantly at Violet, thus showing that he understood there had been
trouble in the school-room.

"Perhaps so, dear," he answered. "We will see how the lessons get on
to-morrow," and then he began talking of other things.

After dinner, however, he asked Violet if there had been any
disturbance, and she gave him a truthful account of