CHAPTER V.
MATILDA'S CONSCIENCE.
ATILDA did not make her appearance in the grove. Her father was so angry at her tardiness in bringing the ham for his dinner that he forbade her the pleasure. She passed the afternoon in a very unhappy state of mind, continually quarrelling with her brothers and sisters, and stirring up strife in the whole household.
From her chamber window she saw Hatty and Sallie walk on, arm in arm, swinging their baskets; and conscience whispered,—"They will talk of you, and you have no one but yourself to blame for all your wretchedness."
Disgusted with herself, she still sat gazing from the window, when serious thoughts began to arise.
"Why can't I be happy?" she asked herself. "I have a better home than either of those girls. That is, the rooms look better, and father has more money. But things never go right. Mother always wants errands done so quick; and father gets angry and cross; and the boys are so touchy,"—
"And Matilda, the eldest daughter is worse than all the rest; for she might be a help to her mother, a comfort to her father, and an example of love and peace to the whole family."
This was what conscience said; and conscience this time was determined to be heard.