Hetty's face grew crimson, and her pride arose within her.
"After all," she said, "it is much better fun to play and amuse yourself
all day than to sit poring over books. Study does not make people
prettier or pleasanter."
This last sentence was an echo from one of Mrs. Rushton's silly
speeches. When people would ask her about Hetty's education, she was
wont to declare that the child was prettier and pleasanter without it.
Phyllis, listening, merely curled her lip, and bent lower in silence
over her book. Nell remained looking at Hetty with a wondering
expression in her eyes. Miss Davis drew herself up and looked much
displeased.
"I hope you are doing yourself great injustice," she said; "I cannot
believe you really mean what you say. Study not make people prettier or
pleasanter! I scarcely believe that my ears have not deceived me."
"It does not make you prettier or pleasanter," said Hetty persistently.
"You were much nicer yesterday when you were playing and running about.
Your face is not the same at all now."
Phyllis opened her eyes wide and turned them on Miss Davis, as if to
ask, "Is not this too much?" Nell, on the contrary, began to smile as
though she thought Hetty's impudence capital fun; and this encouraged
Hetty, who had been taught to love to amuse people at any cost.
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