"You'll be asked again."
"And I am sure people come to see you. Frances Barth was here yesterday; and Sarah Haight and Esther Trembleton two days ago; and Esther asked you to tea too."
"I couldn't go."
"But people remember you are alive. O Maria, they remember you too. Mr. Richmond don't forget you; and Miss Benton asked you to come to tea with her."
"It is all very well talking," said Maria. "I know what I know; and I am getting tired of it. You are the only one that has any really good times."
It soon appeared that one of Matilda's good times was not to be to-day. Mrs. Candy and Clarissa looked on her coldly, spoke to her dryly, and made her feel that she was not in favour. Matilda could bear this down-stairs pretty well; but when she found her self in Mrs. Candy's room for her morning hours of reading and darning, it became heavy. Reading was not the first thing to-day. Mrs. Candy called Matilda to stand before her, while she proceeded to give her a species of correction in words.
"You were baptized a few weeks ago, Matilda."
"Yes, ma'am."
"And by so being, you became a member of the Church;—of your church."
"Yes, ma'am."