There were only one or two people on the piazza, and the children spread out their shells and pictures, and were very busy and happy for some time. They heard Miss Adams' loud voice in the hall, but did not pay any attention to her.
Presently she came out on the piazza, followed by three or four gentlemen, and looked around for a shady place. She saw none that she liked as well as that where Maggie and Bessie were playing, and coming up to them, she sat down on the other end of the bench. The gentlemen stood around.
"Here, Thorn," said Miss Adams, "sit down here;" and she moved nearer to Bessie, sweeping down some of the shells and pictures with her skirts. Mr. Thorn obeyed, and Maggie whispered to Bessie, "Let's go away." Bessie said, "Yes;" and they began to gather up their treasures, Maggie stooping to pick up those which Miss Adams had thrown down. Presently Bessie felt a pretty hard pull at one of her long curls. She was sure it was Miss Adams, although she did not see her; but she said nothing, only shook back her hair, and put on the look she always did when Miss Adams was doing anything of which she did not approve.
There came another pull, this time a little harder. "Don't," said Bessie.
A third pull, just as Maggie raised her head and saw Miss Adams' hand at Bessie's hair.
"Don't!" said Bessie again, in a louder and more impatient tone.
"Come now, Lovatt," said Miss Adams, "are you not ashamed to be pulling a young lady's hair?"
"Oh!" said Maggie, astonished out of her shyness, "you did it yourself! I saw you."