"I suppose it is," said Annette, after some consideration.
"But in order to improve, is it not necessary to practice speaking at every proper opportunity?"
Annette assented after a little more thought.
"Well then," continued Bella, pursuing her Souatic method of reasoning, "does it not plainly follow that it is your duty to speak French, whether you are afraid or not, or whether you like it or not?"
"I believe it is," said Annette, "but I never thought of it in that way before. Thank you, Bella."
"Annette has a new idea," said Janet Graves, as Annette left them, and went to her own room.
"And she will practice upon it, too," said Bella. "Notice her at the breakfast table, and see if she does not speak French."
Contrary to the expectation of the girls, that unpopular institution, the French table, had not been abolished, and the rule remained in force. Even as Bella had predicted, Annette made a heroic effort, and not only asked for all she wanted in French, but actually came out with several sentences of original conversation in that language, which had evidently been carefully meditated beforehand. The girls who had been present at the conversation the day before, looked at each other and smiled; but there was no expression of ridicule in the smile, for they respected the strength of principle which prompted Annette to do bravely that which she so much disliked, so soon as she was convinced that it was her duty.
Delia returned on Monday, full of spirits, boasting of the "grand times she had had," and pitying Emily for her dull holidays.
"What did you do with yourself all the time?" she asked.