ak
against them. Matilda is a different child since she has been in my
bath. Here is your lace, Matilda. I am too busy to hear you read this
morning. Take your seat over there, and see how well you can do this;
it's rather a difficult piece."

It was a very difficult piece. Matilda's heart sank when she saw it;
besides that her aunt's words seemed to have taken away all the
meekness she had, and to have stirred up anew all her worst feelings.
She put her hand to her face to hide her eyes, while she prayed afresh
for help and a sweeter spirit. She seemed to be all on edge.

"What's the matter?" said Mrs. Candy. "Begin your work, child; you'll
want all the time you have got, I warn you. Don't waste your time
idling."

Matilda tried to remember what Mr. Richmond had said the night before,
of the uses of things; and tried to pray quietly while she was taking
up threads in her lace. But remembering and praying made the tears
come; and then she could not see the threads, and that would not do.

By and by she became interested in what her aunt and cousin were saying.

They were unfolding their yesterday's purchases, and talking about what
they were going to do with them. Gauzes, and muslins, and other stuffs
new to Matilda, were laid open on the bed and hung about over the backs
of chairs, and the room looked like a mercer's shop. Here was a
delicate embroidered white muslin; there a rosy gauze; there a black
tissue; here something else of elegant pattern; with ribbands, and
laces, and rufflings, and a great variety of pretty articles. Matilda
thought her aunt and cousin were having a great deal more amusing time
than she had.

"What are you doing, Matilda?" Mrs. Candy's voice said again.

"Looking at Cousin Issa's things, ma'am."

"Mind your work, child. You will not have that done by dinner-time."

"Why, I _can't_, Aunt Candy."

"You could if you had been industrious. You cannot now, very likely.
But you must finish it before you leave this room."

"It is no use!" said Matilda, throwing the lace down; "I can't _near_
get it done for dinner. It is very hard, and it will take a great
while!"

Mrs. Candy waited a moment.

"Pick up your work," she said, "and come here and stand before me, and
beg my pardon."

Matilda felt as if it was impossible to do this.

"Do it, and quickly," said Mrs. Candy; "or your punishment will come
to-morrow morning, child. Do not be foolish. I shall give you something
hot as well