It was Isabel's business to put Dottie to bed. The other girls had to
prepare their lessons for the next day, and went up to the
school-room. Mattie made some excuse, and went with them, and Mrs.
Drummond and Grace were left alone.

Grace had some delicate work to finish, and she placed herself by the
lamp. Her mother had returned to her mending-basket; but as the door
closed upon Mattie, she cleared her throat, and looked at her
daughter.

"Grace, I must say I am surprised at you!"

"Why, mother?" But Grace did not look up from the task she was running
with such fine even stitches.

"I am more than surprised!" continued Mrs. Drummond, severely. "I am
disappointed to see in what a bad spirit you have received my
decision. I did not think a daughter of mine would have been so blind
to her sense of duty!"

"I have said nothing to make you think that."

"No, you have said nothing, but looks can be eloquent sometimes. I am
not speaking of Archie, though I can see he is put out too, for he is
a man, and men are not always reasonable; but that you should place
yourself in such silent opposition to my wishes, it is that that
shocks me."

There was an ominous sparkle in Grace's gray eyes, and then she
deliberately put down her work on the table. She had hoped that her
mother would have been contented with her victory, and not have spoken
to her on the subject. But if she were so attacked, she would at least
defend herself.

"You have no right to speak to me in this way, mother!"

"No right, Grace?" Mrs. Drummond could hardly believe her ears. Never
once had a daughter of hers questioned her right in anything.

"No; for I have said nothing to bring all this upon me! I have been
perfectly quiet, and have tried to bear the bitterness of my
disappointment as well as I could. No one is answerable for their
looks, and I, at least, will not plead guilty on that score."

"Grace, you are answering me very improperly."

"I cannot say that I think so, mother. I would have been silent, if
you had permitted such silence; but when you drive me to speech, I
must say what I feel to be the truth,--that I have not been well
treated in this matter."

"Grace!" And Mrs. Drummond paused in awful silence. Never before had a
recusant daughter braved her to her face.

"I have not been well treated," continued Grace, firmly, "in a thing
that concerns me more than any one else. I have not even been
consulted. You have arranged it a