and forgive, and be
gentle. Matilda prayed and prayed for that; while her lace lay on the
floor, and the dinner down-stairs was gloomily going on.

"What's the matter with Matilda to-day?" Maria had inquired.

"Only a little impatience of her duties," Mrs. Candy had replied,
quietly.

"I don't see what duties she can have, to keep her shut up in your
room," said Maria, hotly.

"No. My dear, there are a great many things you cannot see yet. And
where you cannot see, it is rather wise not to give opinion."

"I have a right to an opinion about my sister, though," said Maria;
"and she isn't getting any good with all your shutting her up."

"There I think differently from you, Maria. Matilda can darn stockings
now in a way I am not ashamed of; much better than you can, I assure
you; and she is going on to learn lace-mending beautifully."

"What use is that to her? I should like to know!" said Maria,
scornfully.

"It may be some use to me," said Mrs. Candy.

"You are doing Matilda a great deal of mischief," said Maria. "She is
not the same child she was."

"No, she is not," said Clarissa. "She is a great deal better behaved."

"Yes. I have taught her to know her place," said Mrs. Candy. "It is a
pity that is what _you_ never were taught, Maria. You are too old now.
I couldn't take a switch to you, and that's the only way."

"You never did to her?" exclaimed Maria, blazing with fury.

"I never did," said Mrs. Candy; "but Matilda knows I would, at a
moment's notice, if necessity came. I may do it yet, but I rather think
I shall have no occasion."

"You are a horrid woman!" exclaimed Maria. "_Of use to you_. Yes, that
is just what you care about. You want Matilda for a little drudge, to
mend your stockings, I suppose, and darn your lace. You are too mean to
live. If mamma had only known----"

When people get so far as this in a burst of helpless rage, the next
thing usually is tears; and Maria broke down accordingly. Mrs. Candy
and Clarissa finished their dinner and went away.

"One cannot stand much of this sort of thing, mamma," said Clarissa, as
they mounted the stairs.

"I am not going to stand much of it," replied Mrs. Candy. "I am rather
glad of this outburst. It gives me the opportunity I wanted."

"What will you do, mamma?"

"I have been thinking for some time what I would do. This just gives me
the opening. I will get rid of this girl."

"And what will you do with her?"

"Let her go learn her