Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/184

 there," she acknowledged herself to be defeated, and the point to be given up.

Mrs Mason, who had stood an unobserved spectator of this scene, was truly shocked at such a dereliction of the parental authority, as she believed must inevitably produce consequences of the most deplorable nature. She came forward, and stopping the little girl, as she was slinking out at the door, asked her, "If she really meant to disobey her mother, by staying from school?" Jean made no answer; but the indulgent mother, unwilling that any one should open her eyes to that to which she resolved to be blind, instantly made her spoilt child's apology, by observing, that "the poor thing had na' gotten her questions, and did na like to gang, for fear o' the maister's anger."

"Bat ought she not to have got her questions, as her master enjoined, instead of idling here all the morning?" said Mrs Mason. "O ay," returned Mrs MacClarty, "she shu'd ha' gotten her