“No, of course not; but when we can not do what we wish, we must try to be content with doing the best that we can.”
He petted and caressed her for a few moments, then led her out into the grounds, and tried to direct her mind from her loss by calling her attention to the growth and beauty of the plants and flowers.
It was the day for her music lesson; the hour for taking it was shortly after leaving the dinner table.
She had not learned to like Mr. Morgan, and still esteemed it quite a trial to have to take lessons from him. His stock of patience and forbearance was hardly larger than hers, but the captain’s presence had been a restraint upon them both, and hitherto there had been no decided outbreak of temper on the part of either.
But to-day Mr. Morgan was testy and unreasonable, from some cause known only to himself, while Lulu, in consequence of her loss and disappointment, was not in a frame of mind to endure it even as well as she might at another time.
He scolded, called her stupid, asked how much time she had devoted to practicing her lesson, and on being told “an hour every day,” said he did not believe it.
“I don’t tell lies, Mr. Morgan!” cried Lulu indignantly. “Please ask papa if my word is not to be trusted.”
“It is, sir; fully,” said the captain, leaving the easy chair he had been occupying on the opposite side of the room, and taking his stand near the piano, where he could look directly into the faces of both teacher and pupil.
“Doubtless you think so, sir; but I fancy you may be deceived, like many another doating parent,” returned the Englishman, in a sneering tone.
The captain received the taunt in dignified silence, not even changing color; but Lulu flushed hotly, flashed an angry glance at the speaker, then sent an entreating one up into her father’s face.