d not exactly
know how to meet such treatment.

Violet was assured, and indeed Mr. Lawrence had told her, that Bertha
was a perfectly well child; therefore, she thought it would do her no
harm to fast, and she was not at all troubled by her refusal to eat, at
least not more so than what the unpleasant occurrence caused her to
feel.

She proceeded quietly with her own employment, talking a little now and
then with Mary, but not once addressing Bertha.

When she finished her meal, she asked, as a matter of form merely:

"Bertha, is there anything you would like from the table before Mary
removes the service?"

"No; I want my oysters," was the pouting reply.

"Very well; then, Mary, you may take the things away, and you can tell
the cook that we will have the broiled oysters to-morrow morning,"
Violet said, composedly.

Bertha lifted her head, a look of blank dismay written on every feature.
Her face flushed an angry red, but apparently she did not know just what
to do under the circumstances, and so continued to remain sulkily
silent.

She was too proud and obstinate to succumb and eat anything, although
the cravings of her healthful appetite were making themselves keenly
felt, and so the tempting breakfast was removed.

When the servant finally disappeared, after brushing up and putting the
room in order, Bertha's passion broke all bounds.

She threw herself prone upon the floor, and began to cry and sob
violently.

Violet paid no attention, however, to this outbreak, but taking up a
book, appeared to be reading, although she was so excited and troubled
by this first conflict with her pupil that she was unconscious that her
book was upside down.

The child cried for nearly half an hour, and not one word was spoken
during that time. At last Bertha arose from her prostrate position, and
moved toward the electric button which governed a bell in the kitchen.

"What are you going to do, Bertha?" Violet quietly asked.

"I am going to have my oysters," was the sullen yet determined reply.

"No, dear, you cannot have any oysters this morning; you must wait for
them until to-morrow," Violet said, with a ring of decision in her tone
which plainly indicated that there would be no repeal of the sentence.
"If you are really hungry, Mary may bring you a cup of chocolate and
some toast."

"I hate chocolate and toast, and I want my breakfast. Nobody ever dared
to treat me so before. I will have oysters," she conclud