"Ah, ha! I told you so!" whispered Sallie in Ella's ear.
Ella answered only with an angry look—it was against the rules to speak, but Sallie did not care for that, for though she would have been very ready to tell of Ella, she knew that Ella was much too honourable to tell tales of her. As soon as the others had all gone, Ella took her book to Miss Layton, and this time she recited her lesson quite perfectly.
"You know it very well, now," said her teacher, handing the book back to her. "What is it, my dear?" she asked, seeing the child hesitate. "Had you something to say to me? Don't be afraid to tell me all that is in your heart. If you are in trouble, perhaps I can help you, and if you have done wrong, I will not judge you harshly," she added, drawing the little girl towards her.
Ella threw her arms round her teacher's neck, and hiding her face on her shoulder, burst into tears. Miss Layton stroked her hair, and talked soothingly to her. Her heart yearned over the little motherless child, who had no one to love her.
"O Miss Layton, I can never, never be good. It's no use to try," sobbed the poor child.
"What new difficulty have you found, my darling? you told me it was very easy last night."
"I'm afraid you will hate me, Miss Layton, if I tell you how wicked I have been last night and this morning."
"Hate you, my child! far from it. I will love you the better for acknowledging your faults. Tell me all about it, and perhaps I may be able to help you to do better."
Ella related all the occurrences of that morning and the previous evening, without attempting any palliation of her own conduct.