The child was motionless and gave no sign, further than the paleness of her cheeks; which indeed caught Clarissa's observant eye, and made her uneasy. But she did not tremble nor weep. Probably the rush of feeling made such a storm in her little breast that she could not accurately measure the value of this new announcement, or know fairly what it meant. Perhaps, too, it was like some other things to her limited experience, too bad to be believed; and Matilda did not really receive it as a fact, that her visits to Mrs. Laval had ceased. She realised enough, however, poor child, to make it extremely difficult to bear up and maintain her dignity; but she did that. Nothing but the paleness told. Matilda was quite erect and steady before her aunt; and when she was at last bidden to go to her seat and begin her reading, her graceful little head took a set upon her shoulders which was very incensing to Mrs. Candy.
"I advise you to take care!" she said, threateningly.
But Matilda could not imagine what new cause of offence she had given. It was very hard to read aloud. She made two or three efforts to get voice, and then went stiffly on.
"You are not reading well," her aunt broke in. "You are not thinking of what you are reading."
Matilda was silent.
"Why do you not speak? I say you do not read well. Why don't you attend to your book?"
"I never understand this book," said Matilda.
"Of course not, if you do not attend. Go on!"
"She can't read, mamma," whispered Clarissa.
"She shall read," Mrs. Candy returned, in an answering whisper.