Something in her manner struck her mother, who turned and looked at her.
"Did Hattie bring you any message from Miss Ashton?" she asked.
"No, mamma: she only came about the mat; and she begged me to ask Miss Ashton's pardon," answered Gracie with the same hesitation.
But her mother only thought that the averted face and drooping look were due to the shame which she felt at meeting the rest of the family after her late punishment and disgrace.
"I told Hattie you would not wish her to stay with me, mamma; but she would not go right away, but I would not let her stay very long."
"I am glad you were so honest, dear," said Mrs Howard.
Honest! Gracie knew how little she deserved such a character, and her mother's praise made her feel more guilty than ever.
She was received with open arms by the other children; for Gracie was the eldest of the flock, and, in spite of her self-conceit, she was a kind little sister, and the younger ones quite shared her own opinion, thinking no child so good and wise as their Gracie. And they had missed her very much; so now they all treated her as if she had been ill or absent, and made much of her.
But for once Gracie could not enjoy this, and it only seemed to make her feel more ashamed and guilty. What would mamma say, what would all say if they only knew?