Naughtiest Girl 2: The Naughtiest Girl Again Read Online Free PDF

if you hated Robert inst now, and that does you as much harm as it does Robert,"
    "I do hate him!" burst out Elizabeth angrily.

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    "Well, to go on with this," went on William, "we have decided that unless we get much plainer proof that Robert is a bully, we can't very well either judge him or punish him. And as we are sure you really did think he was doing something mean, we shan't punish you either, Elizabeth, but you must say you are sorry to Robert for behaving so badly to him,"
    The whole School thought this was a good decision. Nobody wanted Elizabeth badly punished, for they really did like the hot-headed girl. The School came to the conclusion that she must have been mistaken about Robert and therefore she really should apologise, and let the matter end there.
    Elizabeth said nothing. She sat on the form, looking sulky. Robert looked pleased.
    This was grand! William and Rita spoke together for a moment or two, and then said a few more words to close the matter.
    "Well, that is our decision, Elizabeth and Robert, You will apologise, Elizabeth, and you will accept the apology graciously, Robert. Elizabeth, guard your temper-and, Robert, see that no charge of bullying is ever made against you. If it should be, you would not be judged lightly."
    Then William spoke of other things for a few moments and broke up the meeting, for the time was getting late, The children were dismissed and filed out of the gym, all looking rather solemn. Bad temper and bullying! These were things not often dealt with at the Meeting.
    Robert swaggered out, hands in pocket. He felt important and pleased. He had won that battle. Now Elizabeth had got to say she was sorry. Serve her right!
    But Elizabeth had no intention of saying she was sorry. Joan looked in dismay at the angry face of her friend as she marched into the common-room.
    "Elizabeth! There's Robert over there. For goodness' sake go and apologise now, and get it over," she begged the angry girl.
    "But I'm not sorry!" said Elizabeth in a loud voice, tossing back her dark curls. "Not a bit! I'm glad I flew at Robert. How can I say I'm sorry if it's an untruth?"
    "Well, you can apologise," said Joan, "That's only good manners. Just go up and say, 'I apologise, Robert.' You don't need to say anything more,"
    "Well, I'm not going to," said Elizabeth. "The Judges and the Jury were wrong for once I Nobody can make me apologise."
    "Elizabeth, no matter what you feel, you should be loyal to William and Rita," said Joan, troubled, "It isn't what you feel yourself that matters-it's what all the others feel to be right. You're one against a whole lot."
    "Well, I may be, but I'm the one who happens to be right," said Elizabeth in a trembling voice. "I know Robert is a bully."
    "Elizabeth, do what the Meeting says, and then we'll watch and see if we can't catch Robert at his horrid tricks," begged Joan. "Do it to please me. You'll make me so unhappy if you don't-and the whole School will think badly of you if you're afraid to apologise."
    "I'm not afraid!" said Elizabeth, with her eyes flashing angrily.
    Joan smiled a little smile to herself. She turned away from Elizabeth, "You are afraid," she said, "You're afraid of hurting your own silly pride."
    Elizabeth marched straight up to Robert. "I apologise," she said stiffly. Robert gave a polite bow. "I accept your apology!" he said, Elizabeth stalked off by herself. Joan ran after her.

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    "Leave me alone," said Elizabeth crossly. She went into a music practice-room and sat down at the piano. She played a piece she knew, very loudly and fiercely. Mr.
    Lewis, the music-master, looked into the room in surprise.
    "Good gracious, Elizabeth!" he said. "I've never heard that piece sound so angry before. Get up, and let me play you something really fierce-something with a thunderstorm or two in it."
    Elizabeth got up. Mr. Lewis took her seat and played a stormy piece of music, with the wind and the sea, streaming clouds, roaring trees in it-and then the