resolved to finish at her leisure, and sacrifice no more mornings of
study.

So after she had lingered at the door, to delight Gilbert by admiring
his pony, she returned to the dining-room, where the girls were
loading a small table in the window with piles of books and
exercises, and Lucy was standing, looking all eagerness to show off
her drawings.

'Yes, my dear, but first we had better read. I have been talking to
your papa, and we have settled that on Wednesdays and Fridays we will
go to church; but on these days we will begin by reading the Psalms
and Lessons.'

'Oh,' said Lucy, 'we never do that, except when we are at
grandmamma's.'

'Pray are you too old or too young for it?' said Albinia.

'We did it to please grandmamma,' said Sophy.

'Now you will do it to please me,' said Albinia, 'if for no better
reason. Fetch your Bibles and Prayerbooks.'

'We shall never have time for our studies, I assure you, mamma,'
objected Lucy.

'That is not your concern,' said Albinia, her spirit rising at the
girls' opposition. 'I wish for obedience.'