eir faces. It appeared that Juliet had insisted on lowering the
bucket by the windlass, and that, by some awkward mischance, she had
let it fall off the hook, and there it lay at the bottom of the well,
and there seemed to be no means of getting it back again.

This time Mrs. Rowles could not find any consolation for Juliet on the
subject of her stupidity.

"I always do let things drop," said the child, keeping back tears of
vexation. "Once I let baby drop, and once I let a loaf drop in the mud
that the scavengers had swept to the side of the road. I'm too stupid
and awkward for the country. I'd better go back to London where it
does not show so much among such a many more awkward people."

Mrs. Rowles put aside all Juliet's remarks, and Emily was anxious to
know what kind of things "scavengers" might be, and when Mr. Rowles
could be spared from the lock he brought a punting pole, and after a
good deal of trouble fished up the bucket. He called Juliet a little
idiot; and Philip remarked that girls never could do anything,
especially London ones, who are always so conceited and stuck-up.

Poor Juliet felt very unhappy. There was no use in trying to do
better; all her relations were joined together against her. Her father
and mother had sent her away because she was so stupid, and now her
uncle and aunt did not want her. Well, she did not care. She did not
ask them to have her on a visit; they must put up with her ways if
they chose to have her.

"Juliet," said Mrs. Rowles, "do you know what radishes are?"

"Yes."

"Then will you pull some from the lot that are growing near the
pig-sty? I like the white ones best."

Juliet made no answer, but marched out into the garden and presently
returned with a bunch of turnips.

"Oh, my dear child, but those are not radishes! You did not find those
near the pig-sty."

"No."

"I am afraid you did not attend to what I said. I am sorry you have
pulled these. Your uncle will be vexed."

"I don't care," said Juliet; "you should not send me on your errands."

These unkind words made Mrs. Rowles feel very sad. Grown people often
make children unhappy, and children make grown people unhappy very,
very often.

It was quite certain that this sullen girl who would not take the
trouble to do better, caused a great deal of annoyance to her
relations. But they did not intend to get tired of her until they had
given her every chance of correcting some of her faults. On the Sunday