"Attend to your own," answered Viola under her breath, but the teacher saw that she had spoken, and knew that the remark was not a polite one.
"What did you say?" asked the teacher.
"Nothing," retorted Viola, still using a rude tone.
"You certainly answered me, and I insist upon knowing what you said."
Viola was silent now, but her eyes spoke volumes.
"Will you please repeat that remark?" insisted Miss Higley.
"No," said Viola, sharply, "I will not!"
Miss Higley's ruddy face flashed a deep red. To have a pupil openly defy a teacher is beyond the forgiveness of many women less aggressive than Miss Higley.
"You had better leave the room," she said—"take your books with you."
"I won't require them," snapped Viola, intending to give out the impression that she would leave school if she were to be treated in that manner by Miss Higley.