Her mother was firm.
"You must stay at home, Meta," she said.

"It grieves me to deprive you of so great a pleasure, but I must do what I can to help you to overcome this dreadful fault.

You have chosen stolen pleasures at the expense of disobedience to me, and most ungrateful, wicked behavior toward my kind friend; and as a just and necessary punishment you must be deprived of the share you were to have had in the innocent enjoyments planned for to-morrow.

You shall also make a full confession to your Aunt Elsie and ask her forgiveness." "I won't!" exclaimed Meta angrily; then catching the look of pained surprise in her mother's face, she ran to her and throwing her arms about her neck, "O mamma! mamma! forgive me!" she cried.

"I can't bear to see you look so grieved: I will never say that again; I will do whatever you bid me." Mrs.Carrington kissed her child in silence, then taking her by the hand, "Come and let us have this painful business over," she said, and led the way to Mrs.Travilla's boudoir.
Elsie had no reproaches for Meta, but kindly forgave her, and even requested that she might be permitted to share in the morrow's enjoyment, but Mrs.Carrington would not hear of it..