At noon, when the children returned from school, she called Ella into a room by herself, and talked with her about her conduct.

At first, Ella tried to justify herself; but after awhile her better nature triumphed, and she felt heartily ashamed of her treatment of her grandmother.

To think that she, a girl eleven years old, should have attempted to teach her aged grandmother politeness, and in such an uncivil way, too! No wonder she hung her head in shame.
To be candid, perhaps Ella's grandmother was a little too inquisitive to know what was going on around her.

But this was one of the infirmities of old age which were slowly stealing upon her, and which the young should regard with pity and forbearance, but never with a censorious spirit.
Ella was really a good-hearted girl, when her generous feelings were aroused.

From that day, she treated her grandmother with marked kindness and respect; and her unfortunate attempt to rebuke the venerable woman was never alluded to again.
Among the articles which Mrs.Lee brought from the country, for the children, was a small bag of corn for popping.