"How is Miss Ashton unjust?" asked Mrs. Howard.
Gracie fidgeted and pouted, knowing that her mother would not be willing to accept the charges she was ready to bring.
"She's always praising Nellie for every thing she does, mamma; and in these days she never gives me one word of praise, even when every one has to see that I do the best. And—and—I b'lieve she tries to make me miss, so Nellie can go above me in the classes."
"Gracie," said her mother, "you know that that last accusation is untrue. As for the first, if Miss Ashton is sparing of her praise, my daughter, it is because she knows it is hurtful to you. Nellie is a timid child, trying to do her best, but with little confidence in her own powers; and praise, while it encourages and helps her to persevere, does not make her vain or conceited. But Miss Ashton sees that that which is needful for Nellie is hurtful to you; for it only increases your foolish vanity and self-esteem, and it is for your own good that she gives you a smaller share. You have, unhappily, so good an opinion of yourself, Gracie, that praise not only makes you disagreeable, but disposes you to take less trouble to improve yourself. Let me hear no more of Miss Ashton's injustice. When you deserve it, or it does not hurt you, Miss Ashton is as ready to give praise to you as she is to another. You say you are willing to ask her pardon for your impertinence; but I fear that you do not really see your fault."
"Are you not going to let me come out, then, mamma?"
"Yes, since you promise to do as I say; but I fear you are in no proper spirit, Gracie, and that you will fall into further trouble unless you become more submissive and modest."
"Hattie was here this afternoon, mamma," said Gracie, as she followed her mother from the room.
"So I understood," said Mrs. Howard, who had been waiting for the confession, having been informed of the circumstance by the servant.
"I left my mat in school yesterday," said Gracie, "and she thought I would want it, and came to bring it back."
She spoke in a low tone and with downcast eyes; for Gracie was so unused to deceit that she could not carry it out boldly, as a more practised child might have done.