You asked me.

I can't help what I think." "It's your tone," said Mrs.Lessways grievously.
III Despite all Hilda's terrible wisdom and sagacity, this remark of the foolish mother's was the truest word spoken in the discussion.

It was Hilda's tone that was at the root of the evil.

If Hilda, with the intelligence as to which she was secretly so complacent, did not amicably rule her mother, the unavoidable inference was that she was either a clumsy or a wicked girl, or both.

She indeed felt dimly that she was a little of both.