Are you able to embroider ?" "No," Cornelli answered curtly.
"Children of your age ought to be able to, though," said the cousin.
"But we have not come here to teach you that; have we, Betty?
You probably do not even know how to hold the needle in your hand." "Why should it be necessary for Cornelli to learn embroidery just now ?" replied the friend.

"She has lovely books that she can read; she has shown us some herself.

Don't you prefer reading a pretty story to running about in the stable, child ?" "No, I don't," replied Cornelli crossly.
"We must not pay attention to what she says," remarked Miss Dorner.
"When Cornelli is bored, she will probably turn to her books herself.
Please, Miss Mina, keep an eye on Cornelli.

Nonsense like this must not happen any more." When supper was finished, Cornelli went up to her room, and Miss Mina followed her.
"You certainly don't need to do such silly things," she said scoldingly, as soon as they were on the stairs, where her words could not be overheard.

"I have enough to do nowadays without watching whether you put on a new dress every few hours." "It isn't my fault," Cornelli replied morosely.