Jenny started off well enough, but lost herself presently in trying to follow those quick fingers.
"Again, foolish one," cried the mistress. "Again, I say. Well can you do it, if you like."
"I can't," declared Jenny sulkily. "It's too difficult."
Madame Aldavini seized her long pole and brandished it fiercely.
"Again, self-willed baby, again."
Jenny, with half a screwed-up eye on the pole, made a second attempt; the pole promptly swung round and caught her on the right shoulder. She began to cry and stamp.
"I can't do it; I can't do it."
"You will do it. You shall do it."
Once more Jenny started, and this time succeeded so well that it was only at the very end of the new step that Madame angrily pushed the pole between her pretty ankles, rattling it from side to side to show her contempt for Jenny's obstinacy.
"For it is obstinacy," she declared. "It is not stupidity. Bah! well can you do it, if you like."