"I said nothing; I did not answer him. I went into the house and shut the door."
"That was the most unkind thing thou couldst have done. It was worse than telling tales."
"I will be kinder next time," cried Fritz with a sudden spirit; "I will tell him everything."
"Thou hast nothing to tell," screamed Evelina down the staircase.
"Ha, ha!" laughed Fritz; "ask the looking-glass,—it sees more of thee than any one else."
"Little villain! he shall not see much more of us," said Evelina angrily, as she shut the door and came back into the room. "The children at Gützberg would not dare to speak to me like that; they have better manners.—Wilt thou have thy dinner now?" she added more quietly, as she caught the look of weary pain and deep distress on Violet's face.
"No, thank you; I could not eat, I am so tired; please let me go back to bed."
Evelina undressed the child in silence; she was not cross, but her cheeks burned and she seemed engrossed in her own thoughts.
Violet was not long in bed before she fell asleep. She was very tired, and she slept heavily. When she woke again the afternoon was almost spent and the room was empty. She raised herself a little on her pillows and looked about her. The door of the inner room was slightly ajar, and she leaned forward to see if any one was there. She could just catch a glimpse of Evelina's figure. She was standing opposite the mirror and was trying something on her head.
"It is mother's hat," gasped Violet; "I see the blue ribbons."