"Of course not!"
Theodora and Arthur were again in the garden. It was afternoon now of the day upon which the bowl was broken, and Theodora, after spending several hours in retirement, had been allowed to come out to get the air.
After their return to the house her aunts had tried in vain to extract something from her in regard to the accident. "I did not break the bowl," was all that she could be induced to say. Each aunt tried in turn to vary this reply, but with no success.
Finally, at the end of three-quarters of an hour, Miss Middleton said:
"I think, sisters, that the best plan will be to send Theodora to her own room to think over the wicked falsehood which I am afraid she is telling. You will remember that when we were young our parents were of the opinion that solitary confinement was the wisest mode of punishment."
"They occasionally used a slipper," remarked Miss Joanna.
"But I scarcely like to use a slipper with Theodore's child."
"No! no!" cried Miss Dorcas, Miss Melissa, and Miss Thomasine, with one voice.
"So, Theodora, you may go to your room," continued Miss Middleton. "I hope that when you come out you will be ready to confess."
Theodora stood for a moment looking from one to the other of the five faces.