"Hush, hush, it grieves me to hear you talk so," said Miss Jameson; "for however naughty Edith may have been, you should not speak of it. You should try to hide her faults, and love her in spite of them."
"I can't love people who are so disagreeable," said Florrie, perversely.
"There, say no more about her," said Miss Jameson. "I wish you would not speak of people at all unless you can speak well of them."
"Oh, Miss Jameson, need we go to grand-mamma's," cried Gertie; "do send a message to say that we cannot come."
"I cannot do that," she replied; "your grandmother's wishes must certainly be considered before yours. Tell Mrs. Bartlett's servant, Sarah, that the children shall come to her house to-morrow as soon as their morning's work is done."
Sarah went away. There followed an outbreak of temper on the part of the children.
"That is always the way," sighed Kate; "as soon as we plan something nice, something happens to put a stop to it."
"I am sure that mamma would have let us stay at home if she had been here," said Gertie.
"Miss Jameson only makes us go because she wants to get rid of us," exclaimed Florrie, defiantly.
"Florrie, do you know that you are very rude?" said Miss Jameson; "you must beg my pardon for that speech."