Rupert was really a very good-natured youth, but it would have required more forbearance than he possessed, to abstain from teazing so tempting a subject as poor Helen was at this moment. 'And how do you know that Helen is a little cross, Dora, my dear?' said he. 'Because she looks so,' said Dora. 'And how do people look when they are a little cross, Dora?' 'I do not know,' answered Dora. 'Do they look so, my dear?' said Rupert, mimicking poor Helen's woe-begone face in a very droll way. Dora laughed, and Helen was still more displeased. 'Dora, it is very naughty,' said she. 'What! to look cross?' said Rupert; 'certainly, is it not, Dora?' Elizabeth and Anne were far in the rear, reaching for some botanical curiosity, on the other side of a wet ditch, or they would certainly have put a stop to this conversation, which was not very profitable to any of the parties concerned. Dora was rather a matter-of-fact little person, and a very good implement for teazing with, as she did not at all suspect the use made of her, until a sudden thought striking her, she stopped short, saying very decidedly, 'We will not talk of this any more.' 'Why not?' said Rupert, rather sorry to be checked in the full enjoyment of his own wit. 'Because Helen does not like it,' said Dora. 'But, Dora,' said Rupert, wishing to try the little girl rather further, 'do not you think she deserves it, for being out of temper?' 'I do not know,' said Dora gravely, 'but I know it is not right or kind to say what vexes her, and I shall not stay with you any longer, Rupert, if you will do it.' So saying, Dora, well-named Discreet Dolly, ran away to Lucy, of whom she was very fond. Rupert was both amused and surprised at Dora's behaviour, and perhaps, at the same time, a little ashamed and piqued by a little girl of seven years old having shewn more right feeling and self-command than he had displayed; and to cover all these sensations, he began to talk nonsense to Katherine and Harriet as fast as he could.