"But what do you want of a watch, Maria?" her little sister asked.
"Oh, here is Matilda coming out! Just like her! Not a word about Anne's dress; and now she says, what do I want with a watch. Why, what other people want with one; I want to see the time of day."
"I don't think you do," said Matilda. "When do you?"
"Why, I should like to know in school, when it is recess time; and at home, when it is time to go to school."
"But the bell rings," said Matilda.
"Well, I don't always hear the bell, child."
"But when you don't hear it, I tell you."
"Yes, and it's very tiresome to have you telling me, too. I'd rather have my own watch. But I don't know what I will have; sometimes I think I'll just buy summer dresses, and then for once I'd have a plenty; I do like to have plenty of anything. And there's a necklace and earrings at Mr. Kurtz's that I want. Such lovely earrings!"
"Well, Matilda, what are you thinking of?" Letitia burst forth. "Such a face! One would think it was wicked to wear earrings. What is it, you queer child?"
But Matilda did not say what she was thinking of. The elder ladies came in, and the party adjourned to the tea-table.