No, I don't think I could do it, really. I suppose my Aunt Kezia would say I ought. I do so dislike my Aunt Kezia's oughts. She always thinks you ought to do just what you do not want. If only people would say, now and then, that you ought to eat plum-pudding, or you ought to dance, or you ought to wear jewels! But no! it is always you ought to sew, or you ought to carry some broken victuals to old Goody Branscombe, or you ought to be as sweet as a rosebud when Hatty says things at you. Stop! would it be so if I always wanted to do the things I ought? I suppose not. Then why don't I? But why ought I? There's another question. I wish we either wanted to do what we ought, or else that we ought to do what we want! I was obliged to stop last night all at once, because I heard Hatty coming up the garret stairs. I always write in the garret and keep my book there, so that none of the girls shall get hold of it--Hatty particularly. She would make such shocking game of it. I had only just put my book away safely when in she came. "What on earth are you doing up here?" cried she. "What are you doing?" said I. "Looking for you," she says. "Then why should not I be looking for you?" said I. "Because you weren't, Miss Caroline Courtenay!" and she makes a swimming courtesy. "Oh yes, you don't need to tell me you have a secret, my young gentlewoman. I know as well as if I had seen it. O Pussy, have you come too? Do you know what it is, Pussy? Does she come up here to read her love-letters--does she? Oh, how charming! Wouldn't I like to see them! How does she get them, Pussy? She has been rather fond of going to see Elspie this past week or two; is that it, Pussy? Won't you tell me, my pretty, pretty cat?" "Hatty, don't be so absurd!" cried I. "We know, don't we, Pussy?" says Hatty in a provoking whisper to the cat in her arms. "I thought there would be somebody at Carlisle that she would be sorry to leave--didn't you, Pussy-cat? What is he like, Pussy? Tall and dark, I'll wager, with a pair of handsome mustachios, and the most beautiful black eyes you ever saw! Won't that be about it, Pussy?" I could have thrown the cat at her. How could any mortal creature be sweet, or keep quiet, talked to in that way? I flew out. "Hatty, you are the most vexatious tease that ever lived! Do, for pity's sake, go down and let me alone. You know perfectly well it is all stuff and nonsense!" "Oh, how angry she is, my pretty pussy!" says Hatty, hiding her laughing face behind the cat. "It was all nonsense, you know; but really, when she gets into such a tantrum, I begin to think I must have hit the white. What do you say, Pussy?" I stamped on the garret floor. "Hatty, will you take that hideous cat down and be quiet?" cried I.