She was the only one of his scholars who caused him any serious
annoyance, but he had grown very weary of contending with her, and one
day when she had failed in her recitation and answered impertinently his
well-merited reproof, he said to her, "Lucilla, you may leave the room
and consider yourself banished from it for a week. At the end of that
time I shall probably be able to decide whether I will ever again listen
to a recitation from you."
Lulu, with cheeks aflame and eyes flashing, hardly waited for the
conclusion of the sentence ere she rose and rushed from the room,
shutting the door behind her with a loud slam.
Mr. Dinsmore stepped to it and called her back.
"I desire you to come in here again and then leave us in a proper and
ladylike manner, closing the door quietly," he said.
For a single instant Lulu hesitated, strongly tempted to refuse
obedience; but even she stood in some awe of Mr. Dinsmore, and seeing his
stern, determined look, she retraced her steps, with head erect and eyes
that carefully avoided the faces of all present; went quietly out again,
closed the door gently, then hurried through the hall, down the stairs,
and into her own room; there she hastily donned hat and sacque, then
rapidly descended to the ground-floor, and the next instant might have
been seen fairly flying down the avenue.
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