"Only a little impatience of her duties," Mrs. Candy had replied, quietly.
"I don't see what duties she can have, to keep her shut up in your room," said Maria, hotly.
"No. My dear, there are a great many things you cannot see yet. And where you cannot see, it is rather wise not to give opinion."
"I have a right to an opinion about my sister, though," said Maria; "and she isn't getting any good with all your shutting her up."
"There I think differently from you, Maria. Matilda can darn stockings now in a way I am not ashamed of; much better than you can, I assure you; and she is going on to learn lace-mending beautifully."
"What use is that to her? I should like to know!" said Maria, scornfully.
"It may be some use to me," said Mrs. Candy.
"You are doing Matilda a great deal of mischief," said Maria. "She is not the same child she was."
"No, she is not," said Clarissa. "She is a great deal better behaved."
"Yes. I have taught her to know her place," said Mrs. Candy. "It is a pity that is what you never were taught, Maria. You are too old now. I couldn't take a switch to you, and that's the only way."