“Mamma says that on Sundays naughtiness is not such a trifle that we can be fined for it,” said Susan.
“It is not naughtiness we are ever fined for,” added Elizabeth: “that we are punished and talked to for: but the fines are only for bad habits.”
“Oh! I hope I sha’n’t have any this week,” sighed Susan.
“You may hope,” said Sam. “You’re sure of them for everything possible except crying.”
“Yes, Bessie gets all the crying fines,” said Hal; “and I hope she’ll have lots, because she won’t help the pig.”
Bessie started up from her place and rushed out of the room; while Miss Fosbrook indignantly exclaimed,
“Really, boys, I can’t think how you can be so ill-natured!”
They looked up as though it were quite a new light to them; and Susan exclaimed,
“Oh, Miss Fosbrook! they don’t mean it: Sam and Hal never were ill-natured in their lives.”
“I don’t know what you call ill-natured,” said Miss Fosbrook, “unless it is saying the very things most likely to vex another.”