"Now she will tell that story to her aunt, Miss Perkins, and it will go all over the town," said Lizzy; "and I dare say she won't let Eliza come to the meeting, after all."
"But then I told her just how it was," said Marion.
"Yes, much she will care for that, or Miss Perkins, either. Never mind, Marion; it wasn't your fault."
"I wish I hadn't worn my watch at all," said Marion; "I am sure I didn't mean to make any display of it. But that's just the way it always is," added Marion, with a sigh. "There is never anything nice in the world but somebody comes to spoil it."
"'I never nursed a dear gazelle
To glad me with its soft black eye
But when it came to know me well,
And love me—'
"Somebody was sure to say 'My uncle gave it to me,'" quoted Lizzie, slightly altering the verse to suit the occasion. "Dear me, Marion! If you are going to let your pleasure in your watch be spoiled so easily, you don't deserve to have it."
"And as for the story, it is only one more," added Julia. "I wouldn't mind about it. I don't believe Matilda will influence any one who would have given anything. Kitty, how does your class get on?"
"Oh, pretty well," answered Kitty. "The bother of my class is that as soon as the children really begin to learn anything I have to send them away. I sent out three of my nicest children this morning—two little Lenoirs and your cousin Madelaine, Therese. Why, where is Therese? I thought she was here."
"She has gone home, I fancy," said Julia. "Poor child! I am so sorry for her."
"I do think it is the meanest thing that ever was in the world to twit that child with her father," said Lizzy Gates, with her usual emphasis. "Just as though she was to blame!"