"
"Well, I often sit there under it, when I want to learn my
lesson, and can't rest in the house; and that's how I know of the
crack in the ha-ha."
She said it in absolute innocence, but Tom laid it up in his
mind.
"Are you at lessons still?" he said. "Have you a governess?"
"No," she answered, in a tone of amusement. "But Cousin Godfrey
teaches me many things."
This made Tom thoughtful; and little more had been said, when
they reached the gate of the yard behind the house, and she would
not let him go a step farther.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE OAK.
In the morning, as she narrated the events of the evening, she
told her aunt of the acquaintance she had made, and that he had
seen her home. This information did not please the old lady, as,
indeed, without knowing any reason, Letty had expected. Mrs.
Wardour knew all about Tom's mother, or thought she did, and knew
little good; she knew also that, although her son was a general
favorite, her own son had a very poor opinion of him. On these
grounds, and without a thought of injustice to Letty, she sharply
rebuked the poor girl for allowing such a fellow to pay her any
attention, and declared that, if ever she permitted him so much
as to speak to her again, she would do something which she left
in a cloud of vaguest suggestion.
Letty made no reply. She was hurt. Nor was it any wonder if she
judged this judgment of Tom by the injustice of the judge to
herself.
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