CHAPTER IV.
HEADS OFF!--JAEL AND MASTER JOHN--FAREWELL--A FRIEND IN NEED--A FREE PARDON.
The worst of it was, I caught such a very bad cold, I gave more trouble than ever; besides Grandmamma having rheumatism in her back with the draught up the back-stairs, and nothing on but her night things and the watchman's rattle.

I knew I deserved to be punished, but I did not think my punishment would have been such a terrible one.
I hoped it might have been lessons, or even, perhaps, not having the Rushlight again, but I did not think Grandmamma would think of hurting the Sunflowers.
She waited till I was well enough to go out, and I really began to think she was going to be kind enough to forgive me, with a free forgiveness.

But that day she called me to her, and spoke very seriously, and said, that to punish me for my misconduct, and to try and cure me of the babyish nonsense I gave way to about things, she had decided to have all the Sunflowers destroyed at once, and not to have any seed sown for new ones, any more.

The gardener was to do it next morning, and I was to be there to see.

She hoped it would make me remember the occasion, and teach me better sense for the future.
I should have begged and prayed, but it is no use begging and praying to Grandmamma; Jael attends more to that.