Part 21 (1/2)
”It is all very well talking,” said Maria. ”I know what I know; and I am getting tired of it. You are the only one that has any really good times.”
It soon appeared that one of Matilda's good times was not to be to-day.
Mrs. Candy and Clarissa looked on her coldly, spoke to her dryly, and made her feel that she was not in favour. Matilda could bear this down-stairs pretty well; but when she found her self in Mrs. Candy's room for her morning hours of reading and darning, it became heavy.
Reading was not the first thing to-day. Mrs. Candy called Matilda to stand before her, while she proceeded to give her a species of correction in words.
”You were baptized a few weeks ago, Matilda.”
”Yes, ma'am.”
”And by so being, you became a member of the Church;--of your church.”
”Yes, ma'am.”
”What do you think are the duties of a member of the Church?”
A comprehensive question, Matilda thought. She hesitated.
”I ask you, what do you think are the duties of a member of the Church?
in any branch of it.”
”I suppose they are the same as anybody else's duties,” Matilda answered.
”The same as anybody else's duties.”
”Yes, Aunt Candy.”
”You think it makes no change in one's duties?”
”What change does it make, aunt Candy?”
Matilda spoke in all innocence; but Mrs. Candy flushed and frowned. It did not sweeten her mood that she could not readily find an answer for the child.
”You allow, at least, that it is one of your duties to obey the fifth commandment?”
”Yes, Aunt Candy. I try to do it.”
”Did you try last night?”
Matilda was silent.
”You made me guilty of rudeness by not delivering the message I had charged you with; and you confessed it was not through forgetfulness.
Will you tell me now why it was?”
It had been through a certain nice sense on Matilda's part that the message was uncalled for, and even a little officious. She would have been mortified to be obliged to repeat it to Mrs. Laval. There had never been the least intercourse between the ladies, and Mrs. Laval had sought none. If Mrs. Candy sought it, Matilda was unwilling it should be through her means. But she could not explain this to her aunt.
”You did not choose it,” that lady said again, with kindling anger.
”I did not mean to offend you, Aunt Candy.”