Miss Day had left Elsie in the school-room putting her desk in order after the day's work, and she found her still there on her return.
"Elsie," said she, with a malicious smile, "your father wishes to see you immediately. He is in his room."
The child turned red and pale by turns, and trembled so violently that for a moment she was quite unable to move; for she guessed from Miss Day's countenance what was probably in store for her.
"I advise you to go at once," said that lady, "for no doubt the longer you wait the worse it will be for you."
At the same moment Mr. Dinsmore's voice was heard calling in a stern, angry tone, "Elsie!"
Making a violent effort to control her feelings, she started up and hastened to obey.
The door of his room stood open, and she walked in, asking in a trembling voice, "Did you call me, papa?"
"Yes," said he, "I did. Come here to me."
He was sitting with the copy-book and report in his hand, and there was much severity in both tone and look as he addressed her.
She obeyed instantly, but trembling violently, and with a face pale as death, and eyes filled with tears. She lifted them pleadingly to his face; and, touched by her evident terror and distress, he said in a tone somewhat less stern, "Can you tell me, Elsie, how it happens that your teacher brings me so bad a report of your conduct and lessons during the past month? She says you have been very idle; and the report tells the same story; and this copy-book presents a shameful appearance."