pise coaxing,' said Theodora.

'The question is, what you would have done without it,' said John.

'As if I could not subdue a little sprite like that!'

'You certainly might if it was a question of physical force,' said
Percy, as he seemed to be measuring with his eye the strength of
Theodora's tall vigorous person.

'I spoke of moral force.'

'There the sprite had decidedly the advantage. You could "gar her
greet," but you could not "gar her know." She had only to hold out; and
when Miss Martindale found it time to go home to dinner, and began to
grow ashamed of her position, the victory was hers.'

'He has you there, Theodora,' said Arthur.

'I don't know what he is driving at,' said Theodora.

'I am trying to find out whether Miss Martindale has the power of
confessing that she was in a scrape.'

'That you may triumph,' said Theodora.

'No, not for the sake of triumph, but of old times,' he answered, in a
lower, more serious tone.

Theodora's face softened, and drawing nearer, she asked, 'How are old
times to be satisfied by such an admission?'

'Because then candour used to boast of conquering pride,' said Percy,
now speaking so as to be heard by her alone.

'Well. It was becoming a predicament, and you rescued me very
ingeniously. There, will that content you?' said Theodora, with one of
the smiles the more winning because so rare. I am perfectly ready to own
myself in the wrong when I see it.'

'When you see it,' said Percy, drily.

'I was wrong just now not to confess my obligation, because Arthur
teased and triumphed; but I don't see why you all treat me as if I was
wrong to set myself to subdue the child's obstinacy.'

'Not wrong, but mistaken,' said Percy. 'You forgot your want of power
to enforce obedience. You wanted victory, and treated her with the same
determination she was treating you with. It was a battle which had the
hardest will and could hold out longest.'

'And if I had conquered she would have gone away angry with me, only
having yielded because she could not help it. You softened her and made
her sorry. I see. She really is a good child on the whole, and I dare
say I shall do something with her now.'

'Is old Benson alive?'

And a long conversation on village matters ensued. Theodora was happier
that evening than she had been for more than a year. That home-thrust at
her pride, astonishing as it was that any one should venture it, and the
submission that followed, had be