"No, Miss Pinchin, how could I? I hope I am too well-behaved."
"You have acted rightly, but do not allow the evil weed of self-conceit to take possession of you. Girls," here she turned to the Mostyns, "I am going to take you to Penitence, and lock you in with a copy each of Milton's Paradise Lost. I have marked the passages you are to learn. I shall now take Adelaide for a brisk walk."
"But may we not go downstairs and play with the other girls?" suddenly burst from Henny's lips.
"You—Penitence girls—Discipline girls!—to dream of any intercourse with those who have left their bonds behind them. Come now, get into Penitence and learn your Milton. I will take you both for a walk after tea, for I have no wish to make you ill, and exercise and fresh air are necessary. Now, Adelaide, put on your bonnet."
Adelaide flew from the room. She put on the funniest little poke bonnet that could well be invented. It was made of coarse grey stuff the same as their dresses, but it was lined with white, and had white strings, which she tied in a neat bow under her chin.
"You are a great comfort to me, Adelaide," said Miss Pinchin, when the girl joined her teacher. "I shall miss you when you go to the Hall of Contrition. Don't you remember how naughty you were when you first came to Discipline. I greatly fear I have a harder task before me in training those Mostyns."
"You are equal to it," said Adelaide. "You are equal to anything." She put her hand inside her teacher's arm and gave it almost an affectionate squeeze.
"Let's go to the wood and gather flowers," said Adelaide.
"My dear, you forget. Flowers are not allowed in Discipline."
"I'm ever so sorry. Do forgive me."