"You are a bad, quarrelsome girl," said Mrs. Waters, addressing Rose, "and I'm sorry I told your father you might come here. He told me you were bad; but I didn't think you would show out so quick. If you were my girl, I'd give you a good whipping. As it is, I shall inform your father of your conduct, as soon as he gets home, and I have no doubt he will punish you."
"I only tried to prevent Fanny from drowning the cat," said Rose. "She threw her into the water, and I took her out."
"That's a likely story. I don't believe it. Is it true, Fanny?"
"No, it isn't," said Fanny, whose regard for truth was not very strong.
"So I supposed. You have not only ill-treated my girl, but you have told a wrong story besides. Fanny, come in, and I will give you a piece of cake."
"You won't give her any, will you, ma?"
"No, she don't deserve any."
With a look of triumph Fanny went into the house, leaving poor Rose to meditate in sorrow upon this new phase of injustice and unhappiness. It seemed as if everybody was conspiring to injure and ill-treat her.
"I wish Rufie were here," she said, "so that he might take me away."
Then came to her mind the threat of her stepfather, and she shuddered at the idea of Rufus being killed. From what she knew of Mr. Martin, she didn't think it very improbable that he would carry out his threat.