The child--a shade being cast over her mind by being thus unnecessarily reminded of her littleness--hesitates to come.

The mother says, "Come and shake hands with the lady, my dear!" The child comes reluctantly.

Miss Sophronia asks what her name is, how old she is, whether she goes to school, what she studies there, and whether she likes to go to school, and at length releases her.

The child, only too glad to be free from such a tiresome visitor, goes back to her play, and afterwards the only ideas she has associated with the person of her visitor are those relating to her school and her lessons, which may or may not be of an agreeable character.
Presently, after Miss Sophronia has gone, Miss Aurelia comes in.

After some conversation with the mother, she goes to see what the child is building with her blocks.