"Yes; but I remember my mother told me never, never to tell a lie; that it was very wicked, even if it didn't do any body any harm. But those are not all the naughty things I do, Mary; I'm always forgetting not to meddle, and always leaving my things about, and then when aunt Prudence scolds me, and boxes my ears, I get so angry, I feel as if I could almost kill her."
"O my! Ellie! that is very wicked; I didn't think you were so bad as that."
"Yes, I know it's very wicked, for I remember how mother used to talk to me about governing my temper, and that she said, when I got so angry, it was the same as being a murderer; but I can't help it; when aunt Prudence gets so mad, it always makes me mad too."
"Well, now, I wonder if it isn't just as wicked for her, as it is for you," said Mary.
"Oh, but she's grown up, you know; and I'm only a little girl."
"Well what of that? The Bible doesn't say big people may get angry, but little people mus'n't do it."
"No," said Ella, "I never heard that it did, and I know my mamma didn't get angry like aunt Prudence, but I never thought about it being wicked for her. But, O Mary, I wish I had somebody to help me to be good!"
"I would like to help you if I could, Ellie, but I'm just as bad as you are," said Mary. "I've heard people talking about getting good by praying, but I never tried it, so I can't tell you how it would do, but perhaps Miss Layton can when she comes."
"Miss Layton! who is she?" asked Ella.
"Haven't you heard about her? she's the new teacher, and they say she's very pious and good."