"I don't want to punish my little pet," Miss Anne said, in her gentle way. "But, of course, I cannot let you go on, doing wrong on purpose. Now, I am going to try once more if you will say it rightly; and if not, we won't do any more lessons this morning, but you must sit for the rest of the half-hour with your face to the wall."
Ivy read five more words, then said "tac" very clearly.
Miss Anne got up slowly, with a grieved face, and put the book away. After which she turned Ivy's chair so that the little girl's face was towards the wall, and she could not see out of the window.
"You must sit there, Ivy, till I give you leave to move. Unless you will come and promise me to read differently."
Ivy did not like this at all. She loved having lessons with Aunt Anne; and she was a clever little girl, too, and really wished to be able to read nice books. But pride would not let her give in. So she sat upright and silent, staring at the wall, while big tears slowly gathered and rolled down her cheeks, and a pitiful look grew in the wide open eyes. It made Miss Anne's heart ache. Still she said nothing till the half-hour was ended. Then she took Ivy on her knees, and wiped away the tears.
"Sweet Ivy, what was the use of it all?" she asked.
Ivy gave a great sigh, and nestled in Miss Anne's arms, murmuring—
"I want—want—mummie."
"But mummie wouldn't like her little Ivy to be naughty."
"I want—mummie," was all Ivy would say.