"I'm sorry that I hurt you, Mother—I am sorry"—the tears rolled down—"but I meant every word I said—and I do still—I can't help it!"
Colonel Uniacke was called, prompted by his indignant wife.
He took Jill on his knee.
"Now, then, child—out with it!"
"I said"—her arms went round his neck—"I simply hated Miss Bellew" ... (she referred to the new governess). "She's a perfect sneak and she hit Roddy—I know I'm naughty"—she wailed aloud—"but I do hate her—she's a beast! and I won't 'kiss and make friends'—not to please anybody!..."
"All right, then, you needn't." The child stared with wide eyes. "But while she's in authority you'll treat her with a proper respect. If she's a foe you're still bound—more than ever bound in honour—to show her every courtesy. And now go and kiss your mother."
Jill slid down, her sobs checked. This was a new point of view. Her father watched her thoughtfully.
"Of course," he said, "it's rather hard on Miss Bellew, when you think of it. She's paid to teach you—it's her living—she doesn't do it out of pleasure. You are the daughter of the house. She's my guest..." He shrugged his shoulders.
Jill turned without a word, and went back into the schoolroom.
From the passage outside, her parents heard her explain the matter.