"You let Matilda alone. She will not go far wrong. She is never forward. Was she to-day?"
"No," said Norton laughing a little; "it was like a small canary bird chirping out a lecture."
"You let her alone," Mrs. Laval repeated; "and don't let the others plague her. And go get yourself ready to go to the table, my boy; the time for luncheon is very near."
"I can't help Judy's plaguing her," said Norton as he turned to go. "David won't do anything. But won't he hate her, from now!"
CHAPTER IX.
Norton ran off upstairs. His mother waited till he was safe in his room and then followed him. But she stopped at Matilda's door and softly went in. Matilda's hat was off; that was all; and on her knees beside a chair the little girl was, with bowed head, and sobbing. Mrs. Laval's arms came round her, gently drew her up and enfolded her. "What is all this?" she whispered.
Matilda's face was hid.
"What's the matter, my darling?" Mrs. Laval repeated. "Norton has told me all about it—there is nothing for you to cry about."
"Is he angry with me?" Matilda whispered.