learn about home,"
said Clarissa.

The talk did not run in a way to please Matilda, and she was silent.
Presently they were called down to tea. Everybody suffering from a fit
of taciturnity.

"Maria, sit up straight," said Mrs. Candy.

"I always sit so," was the answer.

"_So_, is not very graceful. Matilda does not sit so."

"Matilda was always straight; it's her way," said Maria.

"Well, make it your way too. Come! straighten up. What shoulders! One
would think you were a boy playing at leap-frog."

"I don't know what 'leap-frog' is," said Maria, colouring; "and I don't
think anybody would think I was anything but a girl anyhow. I get tired
sitting up straight."

"When?" asked Clarissa.

Matilda's head was quite indescribable in the turn it gave at this
moment. Her supper was done; she was leaving the table.

"You are not going into your mother's room?" said her aunt, catching
her hand as she passed.

"You said you wished I would not."

"Yes, my dear, I am going up there immediately. Don't go out either,
Matilda."

"I am going to church, Aunt Candy."

"I think not. Not to-night. I do not approve of so much church-going
for little girls. You can study your lesson, you know, for next Sunday.
I do not want to have anybody else sick on my hands till your mother is
well."

Matilda's face expressed none of her disappointment; her head was even
carried a little higher than usual as she left the room. But outside
the door her steps flagged; and she went slowly up the stairs, asking
herself if she was bound to mind what her aunt said. She was not clear
about it. In the abstract, Matilda was well enough disposed to obey all
lawful authority; just now a spirit of opposition had risen. Was this
lawful authority? Mrs. Englefield was sick, to be sure; but did that
give Mrs. Candy any right to interfere with what was known to be Mrs.
Englefield's will when she was not sick? Matilda thought not. Then, on
the other hand, she did not wish to do anything to displease her aunt,
who had always been kind to her; she did not wish to change the
relations between them. Slowly Matilda mounted stair after stair till
she got to her room. There she stood by the window a moment, thinking
and sorrowing; for if she did not wish to anger her aunt, neither did
she wish to lose her evening in church, her sight of Mr. Richmond, and
his sermon. And just then, the clear, sweet sound of the church bell
came, with its first note, to te