"I believe he hates her like poison, and he has been at her about something the several days past--I know it just by the way I've seen him look at her--yes, ever since the morning after the Carleton party.

And now I remember I heard his voice talking angrily in her room that very morning.
I went to get a book I had left in there, and when I tried the door it was locked, and I went away again directly." "But what has that to do with Elsie's fall ?" asked Mary Leslie.
"Why, don't you see that it shows there was some trouble between them, and that Arthur had a _motive_ for pushing her down," returned Lucy, somewhat impatiently.

"Really, Mary, you seem quite stupid sometimes." Mary looked hurt.
"I don't know how any one could be so wicked and cruel; especially to such a dear, sweet little girl as Elsie," remarked Carry Howard.
"No, nor I," said Harry; "but the more I think about it the more certain I feel that Arthur did really push her down; for now I remember distinctly where she stood, and it seems to me she could not possibly have fallen of herself.

Besides it was evident enough that Arthur felt guilty from the way he acted when Mr.Dinsmore came, and when he spoke to him.

But perhaps he did not do it quite on purpose." "Oh!" exclaimed Mary, "I do think I should be frightened to death if Mr.
Dinsmore should look at me as he did at Arthur." "Looks can't hurt," observed Harry, wisely; "but I wouldn't be in Arthur's shoes just now for considerable; because I'll venture to say Mr.
Dinsmore will do something a good deal worse than _look_, before he is done with him." When they reached the house Lucy went directly to her mamma's room.
Herbert, who was more ailing than usual that day, lay on a sofa, while his mamma sat by his side, reading to him.