Miss Davis coloured with surprise and annoyance.
"It is of no consequence, my dear, how we look when we are doing our duty," she said, controlling herself.
"Then I hope I shall never do my duty," said Hetty coolly; "nobody loves people who do not look gay." Phyllis turned to Miss Davis and said, "Will you not send her away now?
Mother never meant us to be interrupted like this." "Patience, my dear!" said Miss Davis; "Hetty is perhaps giving us the worst side of her character only to startle us.

I am sure there is a better side somewhere.

Come over here to me, Hetty, and let me hear you read." Hetty obeyed, and took the book Miss Davis placed in her hand.

Holding herself very erect and looking very serious she began, after a glance over the paragraph that had been marked for her:-- "Leonora walked on her head, a little higher than usual." "My dear!" interrupted Miss Davis hastily; and Nell vainly tried to smother a burst of laughter.
"That is what is printed here," said Hetty gravely, but the corners of her mouth twitched.

Miss Davis did not notice this as she took the book and prepared to examine the text so startlingly given forth; but Phyllis and Nell saw at once that Hetty was making fun.
"Ah!" said Miss Davis, "it is your punctuation that is at fault.