"She don't think it is horrid," said Norton, displeased.
"You don't mean she shall get through what she has to say," remarked David.
"If you would all hold your tongues, there would be some chance," said Mrs. Lloyd. "Try again, Matilda. Was there more? What made the afternoon so pleasant?"
"It always is at that school," said Matilda. "But besides that, this afternoon I believe I got some help for something I want to do; and thinking about that, and about what I want to do, was part of I what was feeling so glad about."
"Well if that isn't a confused statement of facts!" said Judy. "Feeling so glad about,—when?"
"When Mrs. Lloyd asked me what I was smiling at."
"But I am to have your thoughts, you know," said Mrs. Lloyd, with a rather pleasant smile. "You have not told me yet what it is you want to do, the thought of which is so agreeable."
"I did tell it, to the witch last night," said Matilda. "Do you want me to tell it again, now, ma'am?"
"Certainly. You don't think I am a witch, do you?"
On that point Matilda did not give her thoughts; but as desired, she told the story, briefly, of Sarah and her home, and of the reforms proposed in the latter. The attention of her hearers was marked, although most of them indeed had known the matter before.