2
wter tea-things in a cardboard box.
"Let's change for a bit," said Stuart plaid.
Mingled politeness and shyness compelled my acquiescence. She took my new tea-things, and I disconsolately nursed the battered torso of her doll. But this grew very wearisome, and I, feeling satisfied that the claims of courtesy had been fully met, protested mildly.
"Now then," said Stuart plaid, looking up from the tea-things, "don't be so selfish; besides, they're horrid little stupid tin things. I wouldn't give twopence for them."
"But I don't want you to give twopence for them; I want them back."
"Oh, no you don't!"
"Yes I do," said I, roused by her depreciation of my property, "and I'll have them too, so there!"
I advanced towards her--I am afraid with some half-formed determination of pulling her hair.
"A11 right," she said, "you stand there and I'll put them in the box and give them to you."
"Promise!"
"Yes, if you don't move."
She turned her back on me. It took her a very long time to put them in the box. I stood tingling with indignation, and a growing desire to slap her face. Presently she turned.
"You would have them back," she said, grinning unpleasantly, "and here they are."
She put them into my hands. She had bitten every single cup, saucer, and plate into a formless lump!
While I stood speechless with anger and misery, she came close to me and said tauntingly
"There, now! aren't you sorry you didn't let me have them?"
"I'll go home," I said, struggling between pride and tears.
"Oh, no you won't," said Stuart plaid, thrusting her mocking face close to mine; "and if you say a word about it I'll say you did it and pinched me as well. And Mrs. Arthur'll believe me, because I'm not a new girl, and you are!"
I turned away without a word, and I never did tell--till now. But I never said another word to Stuart plaid out of school. She tortured me unremittingly. When I had been at school a week or two my