"did any one ever happen to punish you, irene?"
"punish me?" said irene, opening her eyes.
"yes, punish you."
"well, no. i don't think anybody would try to do it a second time."
"i don't wish to punish you, my dear child." the professor rose and took one of irene's little hands. "i want to help you, dear—to help you with all my might and main. i know you are different from other girls."
"yes," said irene, speaking in her old wild strain; "i am a changeling. that's what i am."
"nevertheless, dear—we won't discuss that—you have a soul within you which can be touched, influenced. all i ask of you is to obey certain rules. one of them is that you do not say unkind things about your fellow-pupils. now, you spoke very unkindly to my daughter at supper to-night."
"i don't like her," said irene bluntly.
"but that doesn't alter the fact that she is my daughter and one of your school-fellows."
"well, i can't like her if i can't. you don't want me to be dishonest and tell lies, do you?"
"no, but i want you to be courteous; and ill-feelings are always wrong, and can be mastered if we apply ourselves in the right spirit. i must, therefore, tell you, irene, that the next time i hear you speak, or it is reported to me that you speak, unkindly of any of your school-fellows, and if you perform any naughty, cowardly, childish tricks, you will have to come to me, and—i don't quite know what i shall be obliged to do, but i shall have a talk with you, my dear. now, that is enough for the present."
"thank you," said irene, turning very red, and immediately leaving the room.
the professor sighed when she had gone.
"how are we ever to manage her?" he said to himself.
in truth, he had not the least idea. irene was not the sort of girl who could be easily softened, even by a nature as gentle and kind and patient as his. she required firm measures. nevertheless, he had made a deeper impression than he had any idea of; and when the little girl went up to her room presently, and saw that agnes was in bed, but wide awake and waiting ready to fling her arms tightly round her companion's neck, some of the sore feeling left her heart.
"oh, aggie, i have you! and you will never, never love that other horrid agnes, or that dreadful phyllis, or that hateful lucy, or any of the girls in the school as you love me."
"oh, indeed, i never could, irene—i never could!" said little agnes. "but you don't mind em putting me to bed, do you, for it makes her so happy? her hands were quite trembling with joy, and she said she had not been so happy for a long time."
"well, she is your sister, and she's a good old sort. but, agnes, how are we to live in this school? tell me, can you endure it?"
"i was at another school, and this one seems perfectly beautiful," said little agnes. "i think all the girls are quite nice."
"you had better not begin to praise them overmuch, or i shall be jealous."
"what is being jealous?" said the little girl.
"why, just furious because somebody cares for you, or even pretends to care for you. i don't want anybody to love you but myself."
"i don't think i should quite like that," said little agnes. "though i have promised to love you best, i should like others to be kind to me."
"there you are, with your sweet little eyes full of tears, and i have caused them! but i'm dead-tired myself. anyhow, it will only last for twelve weeks—truly an eternity, but an eternity which has an end. shall we sleep in one bed to-night, agnes? i won't be a moment undressing. will you come and cuddle close to me, and let me put my arms round you and feel that you are my own little darling?"
"yes, indeed, i should love it!" said little agnes.
