RUTH. 101

“What have you learned to-day?” inquired Miss Maria,
looking severely at her over the tops of her spectacles.

“T don’t know exactly,” replied Ruth; “I had :

“Don’t know!” exclaimed Miss Maria. “That is a very

 

remarkable confession. You have been studying and attending
‘recitations for five hours, and you do not know what you have
learned !”

“But I have the best report in school this week,” Ruth
went on, handing her aunt a folded paper.

“Oh, sister,” interposed Miss Sophia, “I am sure that is
very creditable.” .

“Tt is no more than should be expected of her,” returned
Miss Maria, coldly. “Really, Sophia, you should have more
judgment than to indulge the child’s vanity in that way. I
repeat, Ruth, that unless you can tell me less evasively what
you have learned to-day, I shall consider that your report is
either due to the partiality of your teacher or to some deceit
upon your part.”

Ruth’s eyes filled with tears, and everything she had ever
learned went immediately out of ber head at this dreadful |
accusation. “I cannot tell,” she said. ‘Indeed, Aunt Maria,
I have done the best I could.” |

“Then prove it,” said Miss Maria, calmly, “or your own
silence will prove your deceit.”

“T am not deceitful,” cried Ruth, the tears forcing them-
selves down her cheeks.