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The Pearl of Peace: or, The Little Peacemaker
The Pearl of Peace; or, The Little Peacemaker
CHAPTER I
THE QUARREL
SHE'S the meanest girl I ever saw! If she is my cousin, I'll say so. I wont speak to her again this term; see if I do!"
Sallie Munson was greatly excited, and walked in quick jerks by the side of her companion.
Matilda had been repeating to her, with some exaggeration, the remarks of Cynthia Manning, concerning her dress; but Matilda did not expect or intend to excite so much anger, and was almost frightened at Sallie's warmth.
"What are you talking about?" called a cheerful voice from behind. "I've been running my breath all away, trying to catch you; but I couldn't make you hear my call; I could only see Sallie gesturing away, as if she were practising her exhibition piece."
Matilda had only time to whisper hurriedly, "Don't tell her a word of what I said," when Harriet Maynard joined them.
One glance into her good-humored, serene face, would have put Sallie's anger to flight, if it had not been for a sly pinch Matilda gave her arm.
"Did you ever see the brook look so lovely, girls? I should have overtaken you sooner, only that I stopped at the bridge to see the water dash over Montworth Falls, as I have named that pretty cascade. I threw in a piece of wood, and over it went among the foam just like that boat we read of, over Niagara."
She rattled away in a gay tone, looking as smiling as a May Queen; but at last she could not help noticing that neither of her companions were in good humor.
"Why, what's the matter, Sallie?" she asked, affectionately. "You look as if you were in a high fever, and Matilda, too, is as solemn as a church. What is it?"
There was no answer; and, presently, a shadow crept over Hatty's smiling countenance.