A scolding was inevitable.

Mary felt quite capable of doing battle with the Fraeulein; but her feelings were altogether different when she thought of facing that stern old lady upstairs, and of the confession she had to make.

It was not that her courage faltered.

So far as resolutions went she was as firm as a rock.

But she felt that there was a terrible ordeal to be gone through; and it seemed a mockery to be sitting there and pretending to eat her dinner and take things lightly, with that ordeal before her.
'We did not go up the hill in bad weather, Miss Mueller,' said Mr.
Hammond.