silence.

They met Miss Meadows at their own gate, and she told them that dear
Lucy was very sorry, and she hoped they would take no more notice of
a little nonsense that could do no one any harm; she would be more on
her guard next time.

Mr. Kendal made no answer. Albinia ventured to ask him whether it
would not be better to leave it, since her aunt had talked to her.

'No,' he said; 'Maria has no influence whatever with the children.
She frets them by using too many words about everything. One quiet
remonstrance from you would have far more effect.'

Albinia called the culprit and tried to reason with her. Lucy tried
at first to battle it off by saying that she had made a mistake, and
Aunt Maria had said that she should hear no more about it. 'But, my
dear, I am afraid you must hear more. It is not that I am hurt, but
your papa has desired me to talk to you. You would be frightened to
hear what he says.'

Lucy chose to hear, and seemed somewhat struck, but she was sure that
she meant no harm; and she had a great deal to say for herself, so
voluble and so inconsequent, that argument was breath spent in vain;
and Albinia was obliged to wind up, as an ultimatum, with warning
her, that till she should prove herself trustworthy, nothing
interesting would be talked of before her.

The atmosphere of gossip certainly had done its part in cultivating
Mr. Kendal's talent for silence. When Albinia had him all to