Tempest and Sunshine

At the breakfast table next morning Julia's pale face was noticed and

commented upon.

"She had a violent toothache last night, which kept her awake," said

Fanny.

"Now I think of it," said Mr. Middleton, "I wonder, Tempest, how you can

have the toothache, for you are always bragging about your handsome,

healthy teeth, and say you hain't a rotten fang in your head."

Julia colored, for what her father said was true, neither did she remember

of ever having had the toothache in her life; but quickly recovering

herself, she said, "Neither have I a decayed tooth. It was more of a

faceache, I suppose, than the genuine toothache."

"Probably you have taken some cold," said Mr. Wilmot.

"I think quite likely I have," retorted Julia, and so the toothache matter

was dismissed for the time. Mr. Miller, however, thought he could see in

it a plan of Julia's to avoid going to school that day and when he heard

Mrs. Middleton say, "Julia, as it is so cold and chilly, perhaps you had

better not go out," he was rather surprised to hear her reply, "Oh, no,

mother; Mr. Miller is going with us and I would not miss of being there

for anything."

So the party proceeded together to the schoolhouse. When school commenced

Julia took her books and going up to Mr. Wilmot, said, loudly enough for

Mr. Miller to hear: "Mr. Wilmot, do you know that you gave me a very hard

lesson for today?"

"Yes, Julia," said he, "I know it is hard and long, and as you do not seem

well, I will excuse you from as much of it as you choose, or from the

whole of it, if you like."

"No, no," said Julia; "Mr. Miller is here and I would like to show him

that I have improved since last winter, when, as I fear, I was often sadly

remiss in my studies. All I want to tell you is that if I do not recite as

well as usual, you mustn't scold me a bit; will you?"

"Oh, certainly not," said Mr. Wilmot, and then he added in a tone so low

that no one heard but Julia, "I could not scold you, dear Julia."

Thus flattered, the young lady took her seat and for a time seemed very

intensely occupied with her lessons. At last she opened her portfolio and,

taking from it a sheet of foolscap, cast an exulting glance toward Fanny

and Mr. Miller, the latter of whom was watching her movements. She then

took her gold pencil and commenced scribbling something on the paper. By

the time her lesson was called she laid the paper on the desk, and

prepared to do honor to herself and teacher. The moving of the paper

attracted Mr. Wilmot's notice, and going toward her, he very gently said,

"I presume you have no objection to letting me see what you have written

here."