Paulina, courtesied again, with an intensification of the martyr expression. "You will teach them whatever you think best, Mrs. Evans. I have perfect confidence in you," said Lady Corbet, turning to Winifred. "But I hope you will be particular as to their behavior, both toward each other and toward yourself, and also as to their needlework, which is, in my opinion, one of the most necessary things for a lady to understand. Now, let me hear a good account of you, my mistresses, or it will be the worse for you all!" There were a few minutes of silence after Lady Corbet left the room. Paulina had returned to her book, turning her back ostentatiously on the company. The younger girls stood as if uncertain what to do next, and were evidently much disposed to giggle. Winifred saw that her task might be a somewhat difficult one, and she determined to take it in hand at once. "What work are you doing, young ladies?" she asked, in the calm, clear tones which always command attention. "Let me see your frames." Jemima brought her own and her sisters' frames from a closet, but Paulina made no movement. "I will attend to your elder sister first," said Winifred. "Mrs. Paulina, let me see your work." There was a slight but decided emphasis in the tone, which made Paulina think it best to obey. She threw down her book, unwillingly enough, and brought her tapestry work to the table. It was less perfect than either of her sisters, and was indeed in utter confusion. "I can do nothing with it!" said she, pettishly. "I hate the sight of it! Where is the use of wasting so much precious time upon needlework, which is, after all, of no use to any one?" "Pall only says so because she cannot work as well as Phyllis!" said Betty, pertly. "You should not speak so of your elder sister," said Winifred, gravely. "You have made a mistake in the very beginning of your pattern, Mrs. Paulina, and that has put you wrong all through. You cannot go on well when you begin wrong, whether in tapestry work or anything else." Paulina, seemed interested in the remark, and her brow cleared up a little. "I understand that," said she, "but what is the use of beginning at all? How much better to discipline one's mind and heart by good works and acts of devotion!" "And what better discipline or work could you find than that of obedience to your parents?" asked Winifred. "That is the discipline God himself has prepared for you, and surely it is more likely to be beneficial than any you can contrive or arrange for yourself. This must all come out, Paulina, or else you must take a new piece. I should advise you to begin anew from the beginning, for I fear you will never make anything of this." "I would rather try taking this out," said Paulina, the martyr expression returning, as she sat down with her frame in her old place by the window. "I don't wish to choose the easiest way, for my part!" Winifred could not forbear smiling. Paulina saw the smile, and colored.