a and mamma never had us put to bed without our supper; they always
gave us plenty to eat whenever we were hungry, and Gracie was far
stronger then than she is now."

Mrs. Scrimp was exasperated into a return to old tactics. "Lulu, you are
the most impudent child I ever saw!" she exclaimed, "and shall go without
supper to-night, if it were only to punish you for talking as you have
this morning."

"No, I'll not. I'll have something to eat if I must go to the neighbors
for it."

"I'll lock you up."

"Then I'll call out to the people in the street and tell them you won't
give me enough to eat. And just as soon as papa comes I'll tell him all
about it right before you."

"You wouldn't dare tell him how you've talked to me; he'd punish you for
your impertinence."

"No, he would say it was justifiable under the circumstances."

"Dear me!" sighed Mrs. Scrimp, lifting hands and eyes in holy horror,
"what a time your stepmother will have with you! I shouldn't want to be in
her place."

"My stepmother!" cried Lulu, growing very red, while her dark eyes flashed
with anger. "I haven't any! What do you mean by talking in that way, Aunt
Beulah?"

Mrs. Scrimp's laugh jarred very unpleasantly upon the nerves of the
excited child.

"Your father will be presenting you with one some of these days, I'll
warrant," she said in a tantalizing tone.

Lulu felt ready to burst into passionate weeping, but would not give her
tormentor the satisfaction of seeing her do so. She struggled determinedly
with her emotion, and presently was able to say in a tone of perfect
indifference: "Well, I don't care if he does; anything will be better than
staying here with you."

"Ungrateful, hateful child!" said Mrs. Scrimp. "Gracie's a real comfort to
me, but you are just the opposite."

"Aunt Beulah," said Lulu, fixing her keen eyes steadily upon Mrs. Scrimp's
face, "you've called me ungrateful ever so many times. Now I'd like to
know what I have to be grateful for toward you? My father pays you well
for everything you do for Gracie and me."

"There are some things that can't be bought with money, and that money
can't pay for, Miss Impertinence;" and Mrs. Scrimp, having satisfied her
appetite, rose from the table and, taking Gracie by the hand, walked out
of the room with her in the most dignified manner.

Presently afterward Lulu saw her, through the window, in bonnet and shawl
and with a basket on her arm, going out to do the marketing.