Page:Emily Climbs.pdf/113

 when I’m out. So I always carry them in my book-bag.

“Ilse was up this evening and we did our lessons together. Aunt Ruth frowns on this—and, to be strictly just, I don’t know that she is wrong. Ilse is so jolly and comical that we laugh more than we study, I’m afraid. We don’t do as well in class next day—and besides, this house disapproves of laughter.

“Perry and Teddy like the High School. Perry earns his lodging by looking after the furnace and grounds and his board by waiting on the table. Besides, he gets twenty-five cents an hour for doing odd jobs. I don’t see much of him or Teddy, except in the week-ends home, for it is against the school rules for boys and girls to walk together to and from school. Lots it, though. I had several chances to but I concluded that it would not be in keeping with New Moon traditions to break the rule. Besides, Aunt Ruth asks me every blessed night when I come home from school if I’ve walked with anybody. I think she’s sometimes a little disappointed when I say ‘No.’

“Besides, I didn’t much fancy any of the boys who wanted to walk with me.

“October 20, 19—

“My room is full of boiled cabbage smells tonight but I dare not open my window. Too much night air outside. I would risk it for a little while if Aunt Ruth hadn’t been in a very bad humor all day. Yesterday was my Sunday in Shrewsbury and when we went to church I sat in the corner of the pew. I did not know that Aunt Ruth must always sit there but she thought I did it on purpose. She read her Bible all the afternoon. I she was reading it  me, though I couldn’t imagine why. This morning she asked me why I did it.

“‘Did what?’ I said in bewilderment.

“‘Em’ly, you know what you did. I will not tolerate this slyness. What was your motive?’

“‘Aunt Ruth, I haven’t the slightest idea what you