Part 28 (1/2)
”I thought one answer might serve for both,” said Matilda.
”I am afraid it would not. For in my Sunday-School I teach the Catechism.”
”Don't the Catechism tell about Jesus?”
”Some things,--of course.”
”Our lessons tell all things about Him,” said Matilda; ”and that is what I learn.”
”Do you learn about yourself?”
”What about myself?”
”How you ought to behave, and how you ought not to behave.”
”Why, I think learning about Jesus teaches one _that_,” said Matilda.
”I think there is nothing so good as coming home to learn about home,”
said Clarissa.
The talk did not run in a way to please Matilda, and she was silent.
Presently they were called down to tea. Everybody suffering from a fit of taciturnity.
”Maria, sit up straight,” said Mrs. Candy.
”I always sit so,” was the answer.
”_So_, is not very graceful. Matilda does not sit so.”
”Matilda was always straight; it's her way,” said Maria.
”Well, make it your way too. Come! straighten up. What shoulders! One would think you were a boy playing at leap-frog.”
”I don't know what 'leap-frog' is,” said Maria, colouring; ”and I don't think anybody would think I was anything but a girl anyhow. I get tired sitting up straight.”
”When?” asked Clarissa.
Matilda's head was quite indescribable in the turn it gave at this moment. Her supper was done; she was leaving the table.
”You are not going into your mother's room?” said her aunt, catching her hand as she pa.s.sed.
”You said you wished I would not.”
”Yes, my dear, I am going up there immediately. Don't go out either, Matilda.”
”I am going to church, Aunt Candy.”
”I think not. Not to-night. I do not approve of so much church-going for little girls. You can study your lesson, you know, for next Sunday.