But let us talk
of something else."
They talked of Viamede, each telling the other what she had heard of its
beauties; of Magnolia Hall, too; of Molly, Isa, and the other relatives
of the Dinsmores who were living in that region of country.
It so happened that Rosie's mother, passing through the hall below at the
moment, overheard her mocking words to Lulu.
"Rosie," she called, and the little girl perceived a grieved tone in the
sweet voice, "come here, daughter."
"Yes, mamma, dear, what is it?" Rosie asked lightly, descending the
stair.
"Come into my dressing-room; I want to talk to you." Then, when they were
seated, "What was that I overheard you saying to Lulu just now?"
Rosie repeated her words in a careless tone.
"I desire an explanation," her mother said gently, but very gravely.
"What was the debt, and who owes it?"
"I, mamma, if anybody. Lulu had just said that I owed her an apology; and
I had answered that if so, I was quite able to owe it."
"What had you done or said that she should think herself entitled to an
apology?"
Rosie replied with a truthful account of the scene of the day before in
the boy's work-room, excusing her part of it by an allusion to "Lulu's
fearful temper.
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