'Match it!' said Naylor contemptuously. 'Why, Mrs. Vyner brought it herself from Paris, or somewhere farther off still. It's china as you never sees the likes of in a shop. _Match_ it, indeed!' 'I didn't know'---- began the girl, but it was no use; her sobs and tears burst out, and she rushed away--up to her own room, nearly knocking down Mossop on the stair. 'Why, child, whatever's the?'---- she began; but Ruth only shook her head and flew on. She had been warned not to complain to Cousin Ellen, and she wasn't going to do so. She cried till her eyes were 'like boiled gooseberries,' and then, suddenly remembering where she was, and that she had her work to do, she tried to cure them by plunging her face into cold water, and with aching head and still more sorely aching heart, crept down-stairs with her needlework to the corner of the servants' hall where she sat of an afternoon. 'If only I could run away! oh, if only I could run home!' she said to herself. Betsy consoled her in her own way, which was not a very wise one, though kindly meant, when the two girls were alone in their room at night. '_I_ wouldn't take on like that for all the chinay bowls in the world,' she said. 'Things must get broken sometimes. Not but what you brought it on yourself by telling. I'd have left it there where it fell, and let them think the cat did it.' 'But, Betsy, I promised my lady and mother too, as I'd always tell if I had any accident,' wept Ruth. 'And what did my lady promise?' said Betsy. 'Leastways _I_ was promised as I'd never be scolded if I up and told if I broke anything. Catch me! I'll not risk it. And if you'd any sense, you'd not trust their fine words no more than I do.' 'It wasn't my lady. I don't believe she'd scold. But Naylor is really _dreadful_ when she loses her temper,' and Ruth shivered at the mere recollection. 'Then take my advice, and don't you tell on yourself never again, whatever happens.' Ruth did not answer. She was tired out, and did not feel as if she could argue with Betsy. The next day things had calmed down again. Naylor was quiet and rather subdued, and nothing more, rather to Ruth's surprise, was said about the bowl. But the girl felt nervous and upset. It seemed to her as if it would be long before she got back the happy bright confidence she had been so full of.