Rosie opened her eyes wide in astonishment. She would never have dared to answer her grandfather in that manner.
"Take your book and learn it now," he said in his sternest tone.
Lulu did not venture to disobey, for she was really very much afraid of Mr. Dinsmore.
He heard Rosie's lesson, assigned her task for the next day, and both left the room. The others had gone about the time Mr. Dinsmore came in, so Lulu was left alone.
She thought it best to give her mind to the lesson, and in half an hour felt that she was fully prepared with it.
But Mr. Dinsmore did not come back, and she dared not leave the room, though very impatient to do so.
The dinner bell rang, and still he had not come.
Lulu was hungry and began to fear that she was to be made to fast; but at length a servant brought her a good, substantial, though plain dinner, set it before her, and silently withdrew.
"It's not half as good as they've got," Lulu remarked half aloud to herself, discontentedly eying her fare, "but it's better than nothing."
With that philosophical reflection she fell to work, and speedily emptied the dishes.