Part 41 (1/2)
At nine o'clock Violet took up the history, and began to read the neglected lesson of yesterday, while Bertha paid earnest attention to every word, after which she gave a very clear account of what she had heard.
She then went to her practice without a word of objection, and performed her work faithfully, after which her other lessons were taken up as usual.
All during the day she was obedient and respectful, and when the lessons were completed, Violet, with a tenderer feeling for her than she had yet experienced, read her the most charming story that she could find.
By the middle of the afternoon Mr. Lawrence paid them a visit, and finding his daughter in a sunnier mood than usual, looked the pleasure he felt.
He told them that he had come to take them to drive in Central Park, and a few minutes after they were rolling rapidly out toward that beautiful spot, behind a pair of handsome bays.
That evening, just before it was time for Bertha to retire, she stole softly to Violet's side, wound her arms about her neck, and, peering eagerly into her face, shyly remarked:
”Miss Huntington, your eyes do not look 'sorry' tonight.”
”No, indeed, dear; they ought to look very bright and happy, after such a delightful day as we have had,” Violet answered.
”It has been a good day, hasn't it?” Bertha questioned, laying her head fondly on her teacher's shoulder.
”Yes, and all days will be 'good days,' if we do right,” was the gentle response, as Violet pa.s.sed her arm around the child and drew her closer to her.
”I wonder, Miss Huntington, if you will get to love me by and by,”
Bertha said, wistfully, after a little pause.
”I love you now, dear,” was the sweet-voiced a.s.surance.
”Truly.”
”Yes, truly and dearly,” and a soft kiss emphasized the statement.
”But----”
”But what, Bertha?”
”You didn't love me yesterday.”
”Oh, yes, I did, my dear child.”
”How could you? It did not seem like love when you were so--so stern and set.”
”I certainly should not have shown love for you it I had allowed you to have your own way.”
”Shall you always be so?”
”'So'--how?”
”Why, set--determined.”
”I hope I shall always be firm enough to do what is right, dear.”