CHAPTER XIX.
"For what I will, I will, and there's an end." SHAKESPEAKE.
Shortly after breakfast the next morning, and before the hour for setting out for school, Elsie called Lulu aside, and in a gentle, affectionate way asked if she were now willing to do as directed by Mr.Dinsmore.
"Grandma Elsie," said the little girl, "I am ready to do anything he bids me if it is not to take lessons of that horrid man who dared to strike me after being told by Grandpa Dinsmore himself that he must never do so." "I am grieved, my child, that you have no better answer than that to give me," Elsie said, "and I think you know that it will not satisfy my father; he will have those committed to his care obedient in everything; and he bade me tell you that if you will not submit to his authority in this matter--if you do not to-day obey his order to finish that interrupted music-lesson--you must, on returning home, go directly to your own room and stay there; and as long as you continue rebellious, all your time at home is to be spent in that room and alone." She paused for a reply, but none came.

Lulu sat with eyes cast down and cheeks hotly flushing, her countenance expressing anger and stubborn resolve.
Elsie sighed involuntarily.
"Lulu, my dear child," she said, "do not try this contest with my father.
I warn you that to do so will only bring you trouble and sorrow; he is a most determined man, and because he feels that he has right on his side in this thing, you will find him unconquerable." "I think that is what he will find me, Grandma Elsie," replied the determinately self-willed little girl.
"Surely you are showing scant gratitude for the many kindnesses received at my father's hands," Elsie said; "but I will not upbraid you with them.
You may go now." Feeling somewhat ashamed of herself, yet far from prepared to submit, Lulu rose and hastened from the room.
She knew nothing of what had passed between Mr.Dinsmore and Professor Manton after her dismissal the night before, and it was with a quaking heart she entered the schoolroom at Oakdale that morning.
Yet though in fear and dread, she had not the slightest intention of abandoning her position in regard to the music-lessons.
Nothing, however, was said to her on the subject till the hour for meeting the signor.

Then Miss Diana directed her to go and finish her lesson of the previous day; but on receiving a refusal, merely remarked that it should be reported to her guardians and her punishment left to them.
Evelyn gave her friend an entreating look, but Lulu shook her head, then fixed her eyes upon her book.
As they drove home to Viamede in the afternoon, Grace was waiting for them on the veranda there.
"Oh, Lulu," she cried, as the latter came up the steps, "mamma has been helping me to fix up my baby-house, and it is so pretty! Do come right up to the play-room and see it." "I can't, Gracie," Lulu answered, coloring and looking vexed and mortified.
"Why not ?" asked Grace in a tone of surprise and keen disappointment.
But before Lulu could reply, Mr.Dinsmore stepped from the door and inquired, "What report have you to give me, Lulu ?" "I have not taken a music-lesson to-day," she answered.
"Were you not told to do so ?" "Yes, sir." "And did not choose to obey?
You know the consequence; you must go immediately to your room and stay there alone during the hours spent at home, until you are ready to obey." Lulu assumed an air of indifference as she walked slowly away, but Grace burst into tears, crying, "Oh, Grandpa Dinsmore! you won't keep me, her own sister, away from her, will you?
oh, please don't.

I can't do without her." "My dear little girl," he said soothingly, and taking her hand in his, "I am truly sorry to distress you so, but Lulu must be made obedient.

She is now in a very rebellious mood, and I should do wrong to indulge her in it." "Grandpa Dinsmore," she said, looking up pleadingly into his face; with the tears streaming over her own, _I'd_ be frightened 'most to death if _I_ had to take lessons of that cross, bad man.