Sophie kicked and struggled, but the girl,--a strong and determined one--carried her away by main force. "I'm dreadfully ashamed of her, Elsie," Lucy said, turning to her friend; "but she's a nervous little creature and we must try to excuse her." "A few hearty slaps would reverse the nervous currents and do her an immense amount of good, Mrs. Ross," remarked the governess in her slow, precise way. "Slaps, Miss Fisk," returned Lucy reddening, "_I_ don't approve of corporal punishment, as _I_ have told you more than once. I was never whipped, and I don't intend that any of my children shall be." "Most assuredly not, madam; but I was recommending it not as a punishment for disobedience or ill temper, but simply as a remedial agent. I have never experienced anything of the kind myself, Mrs. Ross, but have heard it remarked that nervousness occasions greater suffering than what is generally understood by the term pain; therefore I suggested it as I should the amputation of a diseased member when necessary in order to preserve life." "Permit me to remark," returned Lucy, "that unmasked advice is seldom acceptable, and now a truce to discussion, if you please. My dear Elsie," turning to Mrs. Travilla, "I beg you to excuse our ill-manners. It strikes me that none of us are behaving quite as we ought this morning. Hal and Archie, what's wrong between you now?" For the two boys, seated side by side, were scowling at each other, and muttering angrily half under their breath. "Why, ma, he went and took the very piece of meat I just said I was going to have," whimpered Archie, digging his fists into his eyes. "Well, I don't care," retorted Harry, "I'd as good a right as you, and I was ready first." "Give him a part of it, can't you?" said his mother. "'Tain't more'n I want myself." "I won't have it after it's been on his plate," exclaimed both together. "Boys, I'm ashamed of you!" said Lucy, "I wish your father were here to keep you straight. You don't dare behave so before him. I'm sure your little friends would never act so. Don't you see how your naughtiness astonishes them? Vi, would you talk to your mamma as my children do to me?" The large blue eyes opened wide upon the questioner in half incredulous, reproachful surprise, then turned upon the beautiful, gentle face of Mrs. Travilla with an expression of ardent affection mingled with admiration and respect. "O Aunt Lucy! could you b'lieve I'd do that to my mamma?" The very thought of so wounding that tender mother heart was evidently so full of pain to the little one, that Elsie could not refrain from responding to the appeal, "Mamma knows you would not, darling." "Oh, no, mamma, 'cause I love you!" cried the child, the young face growing bright with smiles. "Atmospheric influences have often a great deal to do with these things; do you not find it so?" Elsie said, turning to her friend.