How was I to be watching him
there, did you think?'
'I should have supposed,' said Elizabeth, 'that the person who was
leading the dog was more likely--'
'No, no, Elizabeth,' hastily interrupted Lucy, 'it was my fault in
some degree. I know I ought to have thought of him.'
'Well, say no more about him,' said Elizabeth; 'I dare say he will
come home before morning.'
And Elizabeth left the room to take off her bonnet, and to visit the
nursery, where the children were in bed. All were asleep excepting
Dora; and as Elizabeth leant over her, kissing her and bidding her
good-night, the little girl put her arm round her neck, and said,
'Lizzie, will you tell me one thing? Was it naughty to--to go where
you went to-night?'
Elizabeth had felt annoyed and provoked and surprised at herself for
her folly, but she had not thought herself in fault; but now Dora's
soft, sweet, caressing tone sounded in her ears like a serious
reproof, and turned her thought upon her sin. She was too upright
and sincere to evade such an inquiry as this, even from a younger
sister and a pupil, and answered, 'Indeed, Dora, I can hardly tell
yet how wrong it was; but I am afraid it was very wrong, for I am
sure it is a thing I hope you will never do.
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