"That is hard, Tilly. I am very sorry to hear it. But I am of opinion that the authority of nurses must not be disputed. I think if Mrs. Candy says stay out, you had better stay out."
"And everything else?" said Matilda. "Must I mind what she says in everything else?"
"Are you under her orders, Matilda?"
"That is what I want to know, Mr. Richmond. She says so. She told me not to go out to church last Sunday night; and all the others were going, and I went too; and she scolded about it and said I must mind her. Must I? in everything? I can't ask mamma."
Mr. Richmond turned a paper-weight over and over two or three times without speaking.
"You know what the fifth commandment is, Tilly."
"Yes, Mr. Richmond. But she is not my mother."
"Don't you think she is in your mother's place just now? Would not your mother wish that your obedience should be given to your aunt for the present?"
Matilda looked grave, not to say gloomy.
"I can tell you what will make it easy," said Mr. Richmond. "Do it for the sake of the Lord Jesus. He set us an example of obedience to all lawful authorities; He has commanded us to live in peace with everybody as far as we possibly can; and to submit ourselves to one another in the fear of God. Besides that, I must think, Tilly, the command to obey our parents means also that we should obey whoever happens to stand in our parents' place to us. Will it not make it easy to obey your aunt, if you think that you are doing it to please God?"