"He is but an infant," returned Mademoiselle, "but because he have bestowed upon you a punishment, I will not more punish you for the disobeying me except that I make you a longer lesson to-morrow. You are repeat all the verb To Have, all, all."
"Oh, Mademoiselle, it will take me every minute to learn it."
"All, all," repeated Mademoiselle with a wave of her hand as dismissing the subject.
And Ruth, with a rebellious feeling in her heart, went to her task.
She listened that evening for her uncle's latchkey, hiding herself behind the heavy curtains of the library.
As his step rang upon the tiled floor, she went to meet him.
"Well, Ruthie," he said kindly, "are you the only one at home?"
"Aunt Lillie has gone to a tea," she replied, "and I don't know where Bertie is. Uncle Sidney, do I have to give him my doll?"
"Your doll? Bertie doesn't play with dolls, does he?"
"He wants mine."