“I’m out of all patience!” exclaimed Mrs. Dainty. Her mind, instead of getting clearer, was becoming more and more clouded by passion. “If you don’t stop this crying for nothing, I’ll punish you! Hush, I say!”
There was an instant of strong agitation, as if the will of the child were contending vigorously with an almost overpowering flood of emotion; and then all was still as death. Madeline stood motionless, and silent as a statue.
“Very well,” said Mrs. Dainty, coldly; “I’m glad to see that you can obey if you will, and I look to having no more annoyances of this kind. Go and sit down, or amuse yourself in some way.”
But Madeline did not stir.
“Do you hear me?” Mrs. Dainty spoke sharply.
Still the child stood motionless.
“Madeline!”
No response.
“Don’t trifle with me, child!”
The stern, threatening voice uttered its injunction in vain.