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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44123 ***
+
+_LITTLE SUNBEAMS._
+
+
+
+IV.
+
+JESSIE'S PARROT.
+
+
+
+
+=By the Author of this Volume.=
+
+I.
+
+LITTLE SUNBEAMS.
+
+By JOANNA H. MATHEWS, Author of the "Bessie Books."
+
+    I. BELLE POWERS' LOCKET. 16mo           $1.00
+   II. DORA'S MOTTO. 16mo                    1.00
+  III. LILY NORRIS' ENEMY                    1.00
+   IV. JESSIE'S PARROT                       1.00
+    V. MAMIE'S WATCHWORD                     1.00
+
+II.
+
+THE FLOWERETS.
+
+A series of Stories on the Commandments. 6 vols. In a
+  box                                       $3.60
+
+"It is not easy to say too good a word for this admirable series.
+Interesting, graphic, impressive, they teach with great distinctness
+the cardinal lessons which they would have the youthful reader
+learn."--_S. S. Times._
+
+III.
+
+THE BESSIE BOOKS.
+
+  6 vols. In a box                          $7.50
+
+"Bessie is a very charming specimen of little girlhood. It is a lovely
+story of home and nursery life among a family of bright, merry little
+children."--_Presbyterian._
+
+
+ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,
+_New York_.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Jessie's Parrot.
+
+FRONTISPIECE.]
+
+
+
+
+  JESSIE'S PARROT.
+
+
+  "A HAUGHTY SPIRIT GOETH BEFORE A FALL."
+
+
+
+  "He that is down need fear no fall,
+    He that is low no pride,
+   He that is humble ever shall
+    Have God to be his guide."
+
+
+
+  BY
+
+  JOANNA H. MATHEWS,
+
+  AUTHOR OF THE "BESSIE BOOKS" AND THE "FLOWERETS."
+
+
+
+
+  NEW YORK:
+  ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,
+  530 BROADWAY.
+  1876.
+
+
+
+
+  Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by
+  ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,
+  In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
+
+
+
+
+
+  CAMBRIDGE:
+  PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON.
+
+
+
+
+  CONTENTS.
+
+
+  CHAP.                                        PAGE
+
+     I. THE NEW SCHOLAR                           9
+
+    II. AN EXCURSION                             31
+
+   III. JESSIE AND HER GRANDFATHER               52
+
+    IV. THE PARROT                               69
+
+     V. GRANDMAMMA HOWARD                        90
+
+    VI. JEALOUSY                                110
+
+   VII. A MISFORTUNE                            129
+
+  VIII. "THE SPIDER AND THE FLY"                148
+
+    IX. A GUILTY CONSCIENCE                     168
+
+     X. A GAME OF CHARACTERS                    189
+
+    XI. CONFESSION                              205
+
+   XII. THE FAIR                                223
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+JESSIE'S PARROT.
+
+I.
+
+_THE NEW SCHOLAR._
+
+
+"Fanny Leroy is going away from our school," said Carrie Ransom one
+morning to Belle Powers and two or three more of her young schoolmates.
+
+"Oh, dear! I'm sorry," said Belle.
+
+"So am I," said Dora Johnson. "Why is she going?"
+
+"Has she finished her education, and is she never going to school any
+more?" asked Mabel Walton.
+
+"Why, no," said Belle; "she's nothing but a little girl; and you don't
+finish your education till you're quite grown up and have long dresses."
+
+"Why is she going away?" asked Lily. "I don't want her to go. I like
+Fanny."
+
+"So do I. She's real nice," said Carrie; "but she is going, for all,
+'cause her father and mother and all her family are going to Europe and
+she is going with them."
+
+"I wish she wouldn't," said Belle; and one and another echoed their
+sorrow at the loss of their schoolmate.
+
+Fanny had always been well liked in the school; but now that they were
+about to lose her the little girls found that they were even more fond
+of her than they had supposed, and many regrets were expressed when, a
+moment later, she came in accompanied by Gracie Howard.
+
+Fanny herself was very melancholy and low, for this was to be the last
+day at school, as she informed the other children; the journey to
+Europe having been decided upon rather suddenly, and the departure was
+to take place within a few days. Nevertheless, although she was sorry
+to part with her teacher and classmates, and in mortal dread of the
+voyage, she felt herself rather of a heroine, and entitled to be made
+much of.
+
+"We'll have an empty place in our school then," said Belle.
+
+"No," said Fanny, "for my cousin Hattie is coming to take my place; it
+is all arranged, and Miss Ashton says she can come."
+
+"Is she nice?" asked Lily.
+
+"Well--yes," answered Fanny, half doubtfully.
+
+"You don't seem to think she's so _very_," said Belle.
+
+No, Fanny evidently had her own opinion on this subject; but as she
+was not a child who was ready to speak ill of the absent, she would
+not say more than she could help. But the interest and curiosity of
+her schoolmates were aroused, and they could not be satisfied without
+hearing more.
+
+"I know Hattie," said Gracie Howard, who was more intimate with Fanny
+and her family than any of the other children,--"I know Hattie, and I
+like her. She thinks I am very nice. She told me so."
+
+This was plainly the highest of recommendations in Gracie's eyes. Any
+one who admired her was sure of her favor; but this fact did not have
+quite as much weight with her companions as it did with herself, and
+they turned once more to Fanny.
+
+"But tell us, Fanny," said Lily Norris, "why don't you like her so very
+much?"
+
+Fanny looked, as she felt, uncomfortable at this close question.
+
+"Why," she answered reluctantly, "I do like her; she's my cousin, you
+know, so I have to; but then--but then--I think I'll let you wait till
+she comes to find out the kind of girl she is. Maybe you'll like her
+very much. Gracie does."
+
+Fanny had her own doubts whether Gracie or any of the others would
+always continue to like Hattie as well as they might do upon a first
+acquaintance; but she very properly and generously resolved not to tell
+tales and prejudice the minds of the other children against the new
+comer. Better to give Hattie all the chance she could and let it be her
+own fault if she were not popular with her classmates.
+
+I cannot say that Fanny reasoned this out in just such words; but the
+kind thought was in her mind, and she resolved to hold her peace and
+say nothing unkind about her cousin. Would Hattie have done as much for
+her or for any one else? You shall judge for yourself by and by.
+
+The parting with Fanny was rather a sad one, for the children were all
+fond of her, and she took it so very hardly herself, declaring that
+she never expected to see any one of them again. For Fanny, though
+a very good and amiable little girl, was one who was apt to "borrow
+trouble," as the saying is; that is, she was always worrying herself
+about misfortunes which would, could, or might happen to herself or her
+friends.
+
+Therefore she now expressed her expectation of never seeing any of
+her young friends again, and when Lily very naturally inquired if the
+family meant to stay "for ever an' ever an' ever," said, "No, but
+people were very often drowned when they went to Europe in a steamer,
+and very likely she would be."
+
+Nor was she to be persuaded to take a more cheerful view of the future,
+even when Dora Johnson suggested that many more people crossed the
+ocean and returned in safety than were lost upon it. She was determined
+to dwell upon the possibilities, and even probabilities of her being
+shipwrecked, and took leave of her schoolmates with a view to such a
+fate.
+
+"Fanny did not act as if she thought we'd like her cousin Hattie very
+much, did she?" questioned Nellie Ransom as she walked homeward with
+Gracie Howard, Dora Johnson, and Laura Middleton.
+
+"No, she did not," said Laura. "Fanny don't tell tales or say unkind
+things about people, but it was quite plain she does not think so very
+much of Hattie Leroy."
+
+"I know the reason why," said Gracie.
+
+"What is it?" asked Laura.
+
+"Fanny said something very hateful about me," answered Gracie, "and
+Hattie told me of it; and just for that Fanny was mad at Hattie."
+
+"Well, I should think Fanny might be mad," said Laura. "Hattie had no
+right to tell you if Fanny didn't mean her to, and I don't believe she
+did."
+
+"No," said Gracie, "I don't suppose Fanny did want me to know it; but
+then she had no business to say it."
+
+"Hattie had no business to repeat it," said Dora indignantly; "if she
+is that kind of a girl I don't wonder Fanny don't like her, and I wish
+she was not coming to our school."
+
+"What did Fanny say?" asked Laura, who had her full share of curiosity.
+
+"She said--she-er--she-er--I'm not going to tell you what she said,"
+answered Gracie, who was really ashamed to confess what slight cause
+for offence Fanny had given, and that it was her own wounded self-love
+which made it appear so "hateful."
+
+But although Gracie would not tell her schoolmates, I shall tell you,
+for I know all about it.
+
+The mighty trouble was just this.
+
+Hattie Leroy had but lately come to live in the city, and just when her
+parents were looking around for a good school to send her to, Fanny's
+papa and mamma made up their minds to take her abroad. This left her
+place vacant in Miss Ashton's class, and, as you have heard, it was at
+once secured for her little cousin.
+
+Meanwhile Gracie and Hattie, who had met at Fanny's house, had struck
+up a violent _intimate friendship_ and were now much together.
+
+As may be supposed, Hattie was very curious respecting her future
+teacher and classmates, and asked both Fanny and Gracie many questions
+about them.
+
+But, although the accounts given by the two children agreed in most
+points, yet, in some way, the story told by Gracie left a very
+different impression from that of Fanny. The latter thought her teacher
+and classmates very nearly, if not quite, perfect, and bestowed her
+praise freely and without stint. Well, and if you had heard Gracie's
+report you might have said that she did the same; but whenever
+Gracie said one good word for another she said a dozen for herself.
+One girl was a very bright scholar, but she stood second to Gracie;
+another was always punctual and steady, but Gracie had still a higher
+number of marks for these two virtues--or at least if she did not
+_have_ them, she _deserved_ them, and it was the fault of some one
+else that they had not fallen to her share. Nellie Ransom wrote such
+fine compositions; but then, they were by no means to be compared
+to Gracie's own,--oh, dear, no! So it was with each and every one;
+whatever merit any child in the class possessed, Gracie's went beyond
+it.
+
+So at last Hattie quite naturally asked Fanny if Gracie were really the
+best child, the finest scholar, and the most admired and praised of all
+her classmates.
+
+"Why, no," answered Fanny; "Gracie is a very good scholar, and 'most
+always knows her lessons perfectly; but Nellie is even better than she
+is, and has kept the head of the spelling and history classes ever so
+long. And she generally writes the best compositions; but Gracie don't
+think so, and always says Miss Ashton is unjust if she gives Nellie the
+highest marks. But Gracie _is_ very smart, and can learn quicker than
+any of the rest of us; and she 'most always behaves well in school too."
+
+"Better than any one else?" asked Hattie.
+
+"No," said Fanny, rather indignantly; "there's lots of the children
+that are just as good as she is. She's not the best one in the school
+at all. She's good enough, but not so wonderful."
+
+"She thinks she is," said Hattie.
+
+"That's nothing," answered Fanny; "people's thinking they are a thing
+don't make them that thing, you know."
+
+"Then you think Gracie is conceited and thinks a great deal of herself,
+do you?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Why, yes," answered Fanny, though half reluctantly; "no one could help
+thinking that, you know."
+
+Fanny expressed herself in this manner more as a way of _excusing_ her
+own opinion of Gracie than as accusing her little playmate.
+
+"Who do you think _is_ the best child in all the school?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Well," answered Fanny, after a moment's reflection, "I b'lieve Belle
+Powers is. At least I think it is the best in her to be as good as she
+is, for she has to try pretty hard sometimes."
+
+"Why?" asked inquisitive Hattie again.
+
+"Because she has no mother, and she has always been a good deal spoiled
+by her papa and her old nurse. But I never saw any child who wanted to
+be good more than Belle, and she tries very much; and we are all very
+fond of her, and Miss Ashton excuses her things sometimes because she
+is sorry for her."
+
+"Don't that make you mad?" said Hattie.
+
+"No," answered Fanny with much energy; "we'd be real mean if we were
+mad when Belle has no mother. No, indeed; no one could bear to have
+Belle scolded; we all love her too much."
+
+Now this was seemingly a most innocent conversation; was it not? and
+one could hardly have supposed that it would have made trouble for poor
+Fanny as it did.
+
+Gracie and Fanny lived within a few doors of one another, the latter a
+little nearer to Miss Ashton's house than the former; and Gracie was in
+the habit of stopping for Fanny on her way to school that they might
+walk there together.
+
+But one morning a day or two after this, Fanny, standing by the window
+and watching for her young friend as usual, saw her go by with her
+maid without so much as turning her head or casting her eye up at the
+window where she must know Fanny awaited her.
+
+"It is the queerest thing I ever knew," said Fanny to her father as she
+walked along by his side a few moments later; "it 'most seems as if
+Gracie was offended with me to do so; but then she can't be, for I have
+not done a thing to her. I shall ask her right away, as soon as I am at
+school."
+
+But Fanny was only just in time to take off her hat and cloak and go to
+her seat before the bell rang, and so had no opportunity before school
+to inquire into the cause of Gracie's strange behavior.
+
+There was no need of words, however, to show that Gracie was indeed
+offended with her, for averted looks and scornful tossings of the head
+showed that plainly enough. Poor Fanny was hurt and uncomfortable, and
+vainly tried to imagine what she could have done that offended Gracie
+so much.
+
+She ran to her as soon as recess gave her liberty to speak.
+
+"Why, Gracie! what is the matter?" she asked. "Why did you not stop for
+me this morning?"
+
+"'Cause I did not choose to," answered Gracie shortly.
+
+"Are you mad with me?" asked Fanny, putting a very unnecessary
+question, for it was quite plain to all beholders that this was
+Gracie's state of mind.
+
+"Yes, I am; and I have a good right to be too," answered Gracie, her
+eyes flashing at Fanny.
+
+"What _have_ I done?" asked the innocent Fanny.
+
+"You need not pretend you don't know, Miss Hateful," replied Gracie,
+"nor pretend you haven't a guilty conscience. I've found you out! I'll
+never be friends with you again."
+
+"You ought to tell Fanny what it is, and let her make it up," said
+Belle.
+
+"She can't make it up. I've found her out before it was too late. She
+is a false, treacherous friend," said Gracie, waxing magnificent and
+severe in her reproaches, as she imagined.
+
+Poor Fanny, a tender-hearted, sensitive little thing, was overwhelmed
+by these upbraidings, which she was not conscious of deserving; but
+neither her entreaties nor those of the other children could draw more
+than this from Gracie, who turned away from them with an air of great
+offence, and holding her head very high with insulted dignity.
+
+"Augh!" said Lily Norris, who generally took up the cudgels in
+defence of any one whom she considered oppressed or injured, and who
+generally contrived to be quite as cutting and severe in her remarks
+as the offender had been; "you had better take care, Gracie; some day
+that nose of yours won't come down again, it is growing so used to
+sticking itself up at people. If when you're grown up people call you
+'stuck-up-nose Miss Howard,' you won't feel very complimented; but you
+can just remember it is the consequence of your being such a proudy
+when you was young."
+
+Gracie made no reply, except by raising both nose and head higher
+still, which expressive motion Lily answered by saying,--
+
+"Oh, _don't_ I feel like giving you a good slap!" with which she walked
+away, fearing perhaps that she might be too strongly tempted to put her
+desire into execution.
+
+Fanny was a good deal distressed, and the other children all felt much
+sympathy for her, for, as you will doubtless do, they thought Gracie's
+behavior not only unkind but also unjust.
+
+For, although such scenes as this were becoming quite too frequent
+in consequence of Gracie's ever increasing vanity and conceit, she
+generally was ready enough to proclaim the cause of offence; but
+now she was not only "hateful," as Lily called it, but "mysterious"
+also, and would give Fanny no opportunity of explaining the supposed
+grievance.
+
+Fanny went home both unhappy and vexed,--Gracie still carrying matters
+with a high hand and refusing even to walk on the same side of the
+street with her--and finding her cousin there, as was quite natural,
+she told her of the trouble with Gracie.
+
+Had Fanny not been too much disturbed to pay much attention to Hattie's
+manner, she might have seen that she looked uncomfortable when she
+told her story, fidgeting and coloring and having so little to say
+that Fanny thought her wanting in sympathy. But it was not until the
+next day that she discovered that Hattie was really the cause of the
+difficulty with Gracie. By that time she had heard that she was to sail
+for Europe in a few days, and this made her more unwilling than ever to
+be on bad terms with her young friend.
+
+Meeting Gracie in the street, the poor little grieved heart overflowed,
+and rushing up to her, Fanny exclaimed, "Oh, Gracie! don't be cross
+with me any more, for I'm going to Europe, and I expect I'll be drowned
+in the steamer, and then you'll be sorry you did not make up with me."
+
+This affecting prospect somewhat mollified Gracie's vexation; but still
+she answered in a tone of strong resentment,--
+
+"Well, then; and why did you say hateful things about me to Hattie?"
+
+"I didn't," said Fanny, who had so little intention of making unkind
+remarks about Gracie that she had really forgotten her conversation
+with Hattie. "I didn't. I never said a thing about you."
+
+"Hattie said you did," answered Gracie; "she says you told her I
+thought myself very wonderful, but I was not; and that 'most all the
+girls were better scholars than me."
+
+"I didn't," said Fanny indignantly.
+
+"And she says," continued Gracie, "that you said 'cause I thought
+myself good did not make me good, and that Nellie wrote better
+compositions than I did. And she says"--this was plainly the first and
+worst count in Gracie's eyes--"she says you said no one could help
+knowing I was conceited and stuck up."
+
+This last speech suddenly recalled to Fanny's mind what she _had_ said,
+and she was dismayed; nor could she see how she was to explain it to
+Gracie.
+
+She was fond of Gracie, who, when her self-conceit did not come in her
+way, was really a pleasant and lovable child; and, oh! how she did wish
+she had never allowed Hattie to lead her into that conversation about
+her schoolmates.
+
+She colored violently and exclaimed,--
+
+"Well, I did say that, but I did not say it in that way, Gracie. I
+don't quite know how it was, but it did not seem so bad as that when I
+said it. And Hattie asked me, so I couldn't help saying what I thought;
+but it wasn't of my own accord and--and--well, you know, Gracie, most
+all of us do think you think a good deal of yourself--but--oh, dear! it
+was too mean for Hattie to go and tell you; and somehow I suppose she's
+made you think it was worse than it was. 'Cause I didn't mean to say
+any thing hateful about you; but Hattie asked such a lot of questions,
+and I never thought she'd go and tell; and I'm going away, and I expect
+I'll never come back, and, oh, dear, it's too mean!"
+
+All this Fanny poured forth in a very distressed and excited manner,
+finishing by a burst of tears.
+
+Yes, it was indeed "too mean," and Gracie felt that Fanny had been
+shabbily treated. She had listened to Hattie's tell-tale report with
+a half-ashamed feeling, knowing that Fanny could never have thought
+that her words would be repeated; and, although anger and mortification
+had taken a strong hold upon her heart, she could not help seeing that
+Fanny had more cause of complaint than she had.
+
+So she put her arm about Fanny's neck, and, with what she considered
+magnanimous forgiveness, told her not to cry any more and she would
+"stop being mad."
+
+And when they talked the matter over and Fanny recalled what she _had_
+said, both of Gracie and of the other children in the class, it could
+not but be seen that Hattie had exaggerated as well as "told tales," so
+making mischief and bringing discord between the two little friends.
+And had Fanny been revengeful, or too proud to overlook Gracie's
+unkindness and beg her to tell her what had come between them the
+trouble might have been lasting, and they have parted for a long time
+with bitterness and resentment rankling in their breasts.
+
+But now there was peace between them once more, though Gracie did still
+secretly feel some vexation at Fanny for even allowing that she could
+be wrong, and took great credit to herself for being so forgiving and
+generous.
+
+And now you will not wonder that Fanny did not feel disposed to think
+Hattie "so very nice," although she, far more generous and charitable
+than her cousin, would not tell tales and prejudice the minds of her
+future schoolmates against her.
+
+But Gracie hardly thought the less of Hattie for what she had learned
+of her; for she always liked any one who admired her, and this Hattie
+professed to do; perhaps she really did so, for, as I have said, Gracie
+was a pleasant child, and very clever in many things.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+II.
+
+_AN EXCURSION._
+
+
+A large omnibus stood before the door of Miss Ashton's house, and had
+been waiting there some minutes. This was on a street where a line of
+omnibuses ran, and every now and then some would-be passenger made for
+the door of this one, when the driver would turn and say something
+which plainly disappointed him of his ride, at least in this particular
+stage.
+
+If such an individual chanced to glance up at the windows of Miss
+Ashton's house, he saw there a row of little faces in each of the
+parlor windows; and these same faces brimming over with smiles and
+dimples at the sight of his discomfiture, and the consciousness
+that this omnibus had been chartered for their especial pleasure and
+convenience, and that no mere passer-by had any right or title therein.
+
+Some people smiled in return to the happy little group, and nodded
+good-naturedly, as if to say,--
+
+"Oh, yes! it is all right, and we are glad you are going to enjoy
+yourselves, and hope you will have a very pleasant time;" but one or
+two looked cross, frowning and shaking their heads or shoulders in
+a displeased manner, and as if they had no sympathy with any simple
+pleasure or frolic.
+
+Upon each and all of these did the little observers pass remarks,
+according to what they believed to be their deserts.
+
+"Look at that man," said Belle Powers, "how very displeased he looks.
+Just as cross as any thing, because the driver wouldn't let him go in
+our stage."
+
+"I don't believe he likes children," said Bessie Bradford.
+
+"No," said her sister Maggie, "I think he cannot be one of the happy
+kind the Bible speaks about, that have their 'quivers full of them,'
+for which he is to be pitied, and we need not be very severe with him."
+
+"But can't people like children and be glad they are going to have
+a nice time, even if they don't have any in their own homes?" asked
+Carrie Ransom.
+
+"Yes, of course," said Maggie, always ready to find excuses for others;
+"but then probably that gentleman never had nice times himself when he
+was a child, and so he does not know how to appreciate them."
+
+Maggie's long words and elegant sentences always settled any doubtful
+point, and the "cross gentleman," who still stood upon the sidewalk
+waiting for the next passing omnibus, was now regarded with eyes
+of sympathy and pity, which were quite lost upon him as he scolded
+and grumbled at the "fuss that was made nowadays about children's
+pleasures."
+
+"Chartered for a troop of youngsters," he growled forth to another
+gentleman, who coming up also opened the door of the omnibus, and would
+have jumped in.
+
+Upon which the new-comer drew back, looked up smilingly at the windows
+of the house, nodded and waved his hand, receiving in return blushes
+and smiles for himself, with an answering nod or two from some of the
+least shy of the group.
+
+"He's glad," said Lily; "he is a nice gentleman, and I expect he has
+lots of little children who love him dearly, and that he tries to give
+them a good time."
+
+"And so is made happy himself," said Maggie. "There comes Patrick with
+the shawls and wraps."
+
+And now came Miss Ashton and a couple of lady friends, who had
+volunteered to go with her and help take care of the little party,
+bound for an excursion and ramble in the Central Park; and the signal
+being given for the merry group to take their places in the stage,
+forth they all fluttered, like so many birds; and amid much laughing
+and chattering stowed themselves away in the roomy conveyance.
+
+They were all seated, and Patrick, Mrs. Bradford's man, who had been
+_lent_ for the occasion, was mounting to his seat beside the driver,
+when another gentleman, coming up with a quick step, pulled open the
+door of the omnibus, and popped in. He was plainly shortsighted, and
+did not see how matters stood until he was fairly inside and looking
+about for a seat.
+
+Perhaps, indeed, his hearing taught him first, for he might almost
+have thought himself in a nest of sparrows with all that chirping and
+fluttering. A smothered laugh or two also broke forth as he entered,
+and he speedily saw that he had no right to a place there.
+
+"Ah! private, I see. Beg your pardon, ladies," he said good-naturedly,
+and jumped out again, turning with a bow, and "I wish you a pleasant
+time." Then, as he caught sight of a roguish face and a pair of
+dancing eyes watching him with a look of recognition, he said,--
+
+"Why, Lily, my dear! Glad to see you. Bound for a frolic? I hope you
+may enjoy yourself; and your schoolmates as well. A merry day to you,
+birdies." With which he banged the door and watched them off.
+
+"Who's that gentleman, Lily?" asked more than one voice.
+
+"He is Kitty Raymond's father. His name is Mr. Raymond," answered Lily.
+
+"He is a nice, pleasant gentleman, is he not?" asked Bessie.
+
+"Well, yes, he is very pleasant," said Lily, "but then he is an awful
+liar."
+
+"Oh-h-h! ah! ah!" broke from one and another of the children at Lily's
+very plain speaking; and Miss Ashton said reprovingly,--
+
+"Lily, my child! what a very improper expression for you to use, and of
+one so much older than yourself, too."
+
+"I don't care," said Lily, "it is true, Miss Ashton. I know he tells
+the most dreadful untrue stories, and that does make him a liar, I
+know. If children say what is very untrue, people say it is a lie; and
+when grown-ups say what is not true to children I don't see why they
+are not liars all the same. And Mr. Raymond don't tell little stories
+what you would call _fibs_, either, but real big, true _lies_, what Tom
+calls whoppers. So, though he is pleasant and good-natured, I don't
+think he is so very nice; and I'm glad he is not my papa."
+
+Miss Ashton hardly knew what to say, for if Lily's accusations were
+true,--and the child was not apt to accuse any one wrongfully,--her
+reasoning was quite just, and it was plainly to be seen that in some
+way her sense of right and truth had been grievously offended. But
+still she did not wish to have her speak in such an improper way, and
+she was about to say so again, when Lily broke forth once more with,--
+
+"Miss Ashton, I'll tell you, and you can just judge for yourself. The
+other day I was spending the afternoon with Kitty, and her little
+brother wanted to go down stairs with us, and his papa did not want him
+to go; so he told him that the big black man in the closet in the hall
+would catch him and put him up the chimney. And it _was a lie_! I say
+it was a real, true lie," persisted Lily, who was apt to be emphatic
+in her choice of words, "for Mr. Raymond knew there was no black man
+there, and he just made it up."
+
+"Was the little boy frightened?" asked Belle.
+
+"Yes, as frightened as any thing, and he really believes there is a
+black man in that closet; and Willie Raymond, who is six years old,
+will not go past that closet without some big person. And I did feel
+not very brave myself when I went past it," confessed Lily, "for all I
+knew there was no black man there--and if there was, he wouldn't hurt
+me, the poor, old fellow--and knew it was just a--well, if Miss Ashton
+says so, I'll call it a _fib_, but I shall _think_ it was a lie."
+
+Miss Ashton and the other ladies could hardly help smiling at Lily's
+tone; and the former felt that the child was so far right that she
+could scarcely reprove her again for her indignant attack upon this too
+common form of deceit.
+
+"And Mr. Raymond went and winked at me, just as if he thought _I_
+thought it was funny," pursued Lily; "but I thought it was only horrid,
+and I didn't smile a bit, but looked back at him very solemn. No, I
+don't like him, and I'm not going to."
+
+"You don't like him because you can't respect him," said Bessie with
+solemn gravity.
+
+"No, I just don't," answered Lily; "and I'm not going to go and have a
+respect for a person who tells--who says what is not true, not if they
+are as big and as old as a mountain."
+
+Lily's resolution was received with general approval; but now, at her
+suggestion, the subject was changed. There was enough to talk about
+without taking any unpleasant thing; and how those little tongues did
+go!
+
+It was a mild, lovely day in the early spring, uncommonly warm for
+the season,--just the day for an excursion. Modest crocuses, lovely
+hyacinths and gay tulips were in bloom; the willows were just clothing
+themselves in their first tender green, and every stream and spring
+rippled and sparkled and sang as if it were rejoicing in its new life
+and liberty.
+
+The park was fairly alive with children, who, like our little party,
+seemed determined to enjoy this bright, spring day to the utmost; but
+perhaps none were so gleeful and merry as our young friends.
+
+The windows of the omnibus were open, and the little girls had all
+scrambled upon their knees that they might the better see what was
+without; and many a grave countenance was won to smiles by the sight
+of the bright, joyous faces as they rolled past, and the merry peals
+of laughter which every now and then broke forth from the cumbrous
+vehicle. And they scattered not only smiles and bright looks wherever
+they went, but other good things also.
+
+Mabel Walton, who considered it almost impossible to enjoy oneself
+without a quantity of candies and sugar-plums on hand, had been
+furnished by her over-indulgent mother with a large supply of these
+delicacies; nor were most of the others without their share; so that
+Miss Ashton looked with some dismay upon the treasures which were
+displayed by one and another, fearing that her little flock might
+surfeit themselves with too many sweets before the day was over.
+
+However, her mind was soon relieved, at least in a measure. For Mabel
+having doled out a handful of sugar-plums to each of her companions,
+Bessie Bradford called out as the carriage rolled slowly up a hilly
+part of the road,--
+
+"Oh! see that little girl; what a nice face she has. But she looks so
+pale and sorry. I wish I had some pennies for her; but I will give her
+some of my sugar-plums. Perhaps she don't have many."
+
+Poor child! she looked as if she had not many loaves of bread, as
+she ran by the side of the omnibus, holding up her thin hand. A pale,
+sorrowful little face it was that looked up into those, so rosy and
+happy, above it; pinched, careworn, and old above its years, with
+that look so often seen in the faces of the children of the poor.
+Yet, in spite of her extreme poverty, she was not very ragged or very
+dirty; and as little Bessie had said, she had "a nice face," an open,
+straightforward look, a gentle expression, and a clear, honest eye.
+
+As she saw Bessie's hand outstretched, her face brightened, and as the
+little girl dropped two or three sugar-plums, she stooped hastily to
+pick them up; but when she raised her head again, the old weary look
+had come back, deepened now by disappointment.
+
+Just then the driver whipped up his horses and the omnibus rolled on
+faster, leaving the child looking sadly after it, and making no attempt
+to pick up the sugar-plums now thrown out freely by all the little
+girls.
+
+"Why! she looks as if she didn't like sugar-plums," said Belle.
+
+"Impossible!" said Maggie. "There never could be a person so wanting in
+sense as not to like sugar-plums."
+
+"Maybe that man who lived in a tub did not," said Lily. "Maggie, I was
+very much interested in that man when you wrote to me about him, and I
+meant to ask you a little more about him, but I did not think he could
+be a _wise_ man. What was his name?"
+
+"Mr. Diogenes," said Maggie; "and the reason they called the old
+cross-patch a wise man was because wise men were very scarce in those
+days. They only had seven in all that country; but when you are as far
+as I am in Parley's History you will learn all about them."
+
+"I wonder what did make that little girl look so sorry," said Bessie,
+unable to forget the look of disappointment so plainly visible on the
+child's face.
+
+"I think, darling," said Miss Ashton, "that she expected pennies when
+she saw you were about to throw something out, and so was not satisfied
+with the candies. There was something interesting and sweet in her
+face."
+
+"Here are some more poor children," said Bessie; "let's drop some
+sugar-plums to them and see if they care about them."
+
+There could be no doubt as to the approbation of these new recipients
+of the bounty of our little friends. At first it was difficult to tell
+whether the pleasure was most enjoyed by those within the omnibus
+who scattered with liberal hand, or by the outsiders who gathered
+the harvest; but as the enthusiasm of these last drew new claimants,
+and all waxed more and more clamorous, it soon became an annoyance,
+and Miss Ashton was obliged to put a stop to the shower, which had
+already received a check, as some of the younger children were becoming
+frightened.
+
+But Patrick and the driver were forced to threaten the obstreperous
+crowd, and even to call for the aid of a policeman before they could
+be scattered, so that this diversion did not end so agreeably.
+
+There was one thing gained, however, in Miss Ashton's opinion; and this
+was that the greater part of the sugar-plums had been disposed of,
+without hurt to her young charge.
+
+Not that she objected to sugar-plums altogether. Do not think, my
+little readers, that she was, as Maggie would have said, so "wanting in
+sense," as that; but she had been rather appalled by the sight of the
+numerous tempting looking parcels that were produced, to say nothing of
+Mabel's over-abundant supply.
+
+Our gay party made the round of the park, stopping for a while at any
+place of interest, and now and then alighting if they were so inclined.
+They hung for some time about the paddock where the deer are kept,
+putting their little hands through the palings and trying to tempt
+the pretty, gentle creatures to come nearer. But the deer were not to
+be persuaded and although they watched the children with their mild,
+soft eyes in a very amiable manner, they held aloof and would not
+condescend to a closer acquaintance.
+
+The swans were less timid, and, as the children flocked down to the
+border of the lake with their hands full of crackers and bread, came
+swimming up, arching their graceful necks, and looking eagerly for the
+bits with which they were speedily treated. It was enchanting to see
+them so friendly, and to have them feed from one's very hand.
+
+The old gray arsenal, with its collection of wild animals, was not to
+be visited until after they had taken their lunch. As they passed the
+Casino on their way up through the park, Patrick had been left there to
+make all ready for them; and now they drove back and alighted. Pleasant
+and mild though the day was, the ground was still too cold and the
+air too fresh to permit of lunching out of doors; and, although the
+children entreated that they might be permitted to do so, Miss Ashton
+was too wise to yield.
+
+The lunch was not quite ready when they reached the Casino, and the
+children were permitted to wander around and amuse themselves as they
+pleased for a few moments, provided they did not lose sight of the
+house, or go beyond call.
+
+Bessie, Lily, and Belle had strolled a short distance away together,
+and had disappeared from the view of Maggie, Nellie, and Dora, who
+stood at the head of a short flight of stone steps leading up to the
+Casino. They had but gone around the other side of the hedge, however,
+and could not be far off.
+
+Suddenly Lily and Belle came flying back with frightened faces, and
+rushed breathless and panting to where the other children stood.
+
+Then Belle turned, and exclaimed,--
+
+"Where's Bessie? Didn't Bessie come?"
+
+No Bessie was to be seen, certainly; and Maggie, noticing the startled
+faces of the other children, took alarm at once for her little sister,
+and started forward, crying,--
+
+"Where is she? What has happened? Where's my Bessie?"
+
+Before Belle or Lily could speak, Hattie darted from behind the hedge,
+laughing and mischievous; and, pointing her finger at the crimson faces
+of the two little ones, cried triumphantly,--
+
+"Oh! didn't I take you in? Didn't I give you a fright, though?"
+
+"What is it? Where's Bessie?" said Maggie again.
+
+Hattie sat down upon the lower step, and doubling herself over and
+rocking back and forth, said between paroxysms of laughter,--
+
+"Oh, dear! Bessie is round there talking to the old fellow. She's all
+right. Didn't I play you two geese a nice trick, though? How you did
+run! I didn't think you could be so taken in. Oh, what fun!"
+
+"What!" exclaimed Lily, indignation taking the place of her alarm,
+"were you tricking us? Didn't he try to take your hair? Hattie, Hattie!
+you mean, mean girl! And you told us a real wicked story, too. How dare
+you do it?" And Lily stamped her foot at Hattie, in a real passion at
+the trick which had been played upon her.
+
+The effect was different upon Belle. She was a sensitive little thing,
+easily overcome by any undue excitement; and, throwing herself upon
+Maggie, she burst into a violent fit of sobbing and crying.
+
+Miss Ashton and her friends heard and came to inquire into the trouble;
+and Hattie was now rather frightened herself as she saw the effect of
+her foolish deceit.
+
+Lily indignantly told the story, which amounted to this. It was a
+well-known fact, and had unfortunately come to the ears of our little
+girls, that some man had lately attacked several children, and suddenly
+severed the hair from their heads, making off as fast as possible after
+he had done so. He did this for the sake of the hair, which he probably
+sold; but he was, of course, a bad man and a thief, and the children
+all felt much dread of him.
+
+So when Hattie had come flying up to Bessie, Belle, and Lily, without
+any hat, and seemingly in a state of the wildest excitement, and
+had told them, with every appearance of truth and of being herself
+excessively frightened, that "that old man there" had snatched off her
+hat and tried to cut her hair, they had readily believed her--as an old
+man was really there--and had turned about and run away in great alarm.
+They had been terrified half out of their senses; and now here was
+Hattie confessing--yes, glorying, till Miss Ashton came--that she had
+"tricked" them, that she was "only in fun," it was all "a joke."
+
+But her triumph was speedily brought to an end, when Miss Ashton saw
+Belle's state, and heard how it had been brought about. She sternly
+reprimanded Hattie, and bade her go into the house, and remain there.
+
+But where was Bessie?
+
+The other children declared that "an old man was really there;" and, in
+spite of Hattie's confession that she had only been joking, Maggie's
+mind was filled with visions of her little sister's sunny curls in
+the hands of a ruffian; and away she flew in search of her, quite
+regardless of any supposed risk to her own wealth of dark, waving
+ringlets.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+III.
+
+_JESSIE AND HER GRANDFATHER._
+
+
+Where was Bessie?
+
+When Lily and Belle turned to run from the figure which Hattie pointed
+out as that of the man who attacked her, she started with them, quite
+as much alarmed as the other two; and, if they thought about it at all,
+they imagined she was close behind them. But she had gone only a few
+steps when she heard a voice, a weak voice, calling after herself and
+her companions, and saying,--
+
+"Don't be afraid, little girls; don't run away, little ladies. Couldn't
+ye stop a minute to help an old man?"
+
+Something in the tones touched the tender little heart of Bessie; and
+she checked her steps, ready to start again, however, on the shortest
+notice, and looked back at the old man.
+
+A very old man he seemed, and a very feeble old man, scarcely able, if
+he had the will, to run after active little girls, or to do them any
+harm. His hair was very white, and his face pinched and thin; but he
+looked kind and gentle, as Bessie saw, even from the distance at which
+she stood; and her fears died away as she looked at him.
+
+The old man sat upon a bank; and Bessie stood hesitating and watching
+him, trying to make up her mind to go and ask if he was in trouble. She
+saw that he had dropped his stick, which had rolled away, and lay on
+the ground just beyond his reach.
+
+"Would you do an old man a kindness, and give him his stick, little
+Miss?" he called to her, pointing at the same time to the cane. "Why
+did ye all run that way? I wouldn't hurt a hair of your heads, more
+than I would of my own Jessie's."
+
+This reference to the "hair on their heads" was rather unfortunate, for
+it startled Bessie again, and brought back the cause for alarm. Was the
+old man really in trouble, and unable to reach his stick? she thought,
+or was this only a trap to catch her, and deprive her of her curls?
+
+So she stood still, hesitating; and the old man, as if in despair of
+receiving any help from her, tried to raise himself a little, and
+stretched out his trembling hand towards the stick. But it was useless;
+it lay too far; he could not rise without its aid, and he sank back
+again, looking more helpless and feeble than before. This was too much
+for Bessie. She could not bear to see suffering and not try to relieve
+it; and it seemed to her that it would be cruel and wicked not to lend
+a helping hand to this poor old creature.
+
+"Please, dear Father in heaven, not to let him hurt me," she whispered
+softly to herself; and then walked slowly towards the old man, her
+little heart beating painfully, it must be confessed, in spite of her
+petition, and the trust that it would be heard.
+
+Keeping at as great a distance as it would allow, she stooped for the
+stick, and held it out at arm's length to the owner.
+
+"Now may He that blesses the cup of cold water given in His name reward
+you," said the old man, as he took it from the timid little hand; "but
+why are you frightened at me, dear, and why did the other little ones
+run as if they were scared half out of their lives? When you passed all
+in the big stage, laughing and so gay, it put a warmth into my heart
+that hasn't been there for many a day, and I b'lieve it was your own
+loving, little face that smiled back at me as I waved my hat to you
+for a blessing on your joy. Why, I wouldn't hurt a living thing; least
+of all, little girls that always mind me of my Jessie. Though it's
+different enough that you are from her, my poor lamb," he added in a
+lower tone, which Bessie could not have heard had she not now drawn
+nearer to him.
+
+For with the first words of the old man's speech, all fear had vanished
+from her mind. He had called down a blessing on her in a name which she
+knew and loved, and she could not be afraid of him longer. Besides,
+now that she looked at him more closely and with unprejudiced eyes,
+she recognized him, and remembered how, as he said, when the stage had
+passed him with its merry load, he had taken off his hat and feebly
+cheered and waved to them as they went by.
+
+"Don't you try to cut off little girls' hair?" she could not help
+asking, in spite of her new confidence.
+
+"I?" answered the old man surprised; "and why would I do that? Ah! I
+see. Did you take me for _that_ fellow? My little lady, they have him
+fast in jail, as he deserves; but how did you ever think I would do a
+thing like that?"
+
+"A little girl said you tried to cut hers," answered the child.
+
+"Then that little girl slandered an old man who had never harmed her,"
+he said gravely. "I understand; she's frightened you for her own fun,
+or whatever it may be. Well, I'm up now,"--he had slowly and painfully
+raised himself by the help of his cane,--"and I'd better be moving
+away, or the sight of me after that may spoil your pleasure. It was
+hard in her to turn you against one who would never have harmed you;
+but you're a sensible little lady, and a kind, and you'll never be the
+worse for doing a good turn to an old man."
+
+"Don't go away," said Bessie, "the other children won't be afraid of
+you when I tell them Hattie--was--was--mistaken." Bessie feared that
+Hattie's tale was more than a mistake, but she would not accuse her
+until she was sure. "They won't want you to go away, poor, lame man."
+
+"Jessie stays so long," he answered, looking about him helplessly. "She
+sat me here to rest a while, and I think she can't know how long she's
+been gone."
+
+Before Bessie could speak again, around the hedge came Maggie, who
+stopped short in amazement at seeing her sister standing talking
+sociably to the dreaded old man. And with her curls all safe!
+
+Maggie could hardly believe her own eyes. She went forward more slowly,
+till Bessie called to her,--
+
+"O Maggie, dear! this old man wouldn't hurt us, or cut our hair for any
+thing. He likes little girls, and it made him feel badly because we ran
+away from him, and he is going away now 'cause he thinks we don't like
+him. Come and tell him not to."
+
+Timid Maggie, feeling very doubtful, but determined to share her
+sister's risk, whatever that might be--she had almost forgotten that
+Hattie had confessed she only wanted to trick them all--drew still
+nearer, and taking Bessie's hand, gazed up at the old man with eyes
+in which pity and sympathy began to struggle with her former fear. He
+looked so poor and feeble and helpless, so little like doing harm to
+any one.
+
+And now came Dora and Gracie, who had followed Maggie in search of
+Bessie; and as the little group gathered about the old man, Bessie
+said,--
+
+"Where is your Jessie? Can we call her to you?"
+
+"I can't tell, little Miss," he answered. "I've been sitting here more
+than an hour, I take it. Jessie was so eager about her parrot that she
+has maybe forgotten how long she's been away. Ah! there she comes now."
+
+As he spoke, a child came running towards them, but seeing the group
+about her grandfather, paused in amazement at a short distance.
+
+It was the very same little girl to whom they had thrown sugar-plums
+but an hour since, and who had looked so disappointed. The children
+recognized her immediately.
+
+"Why! that's the little girl who was not pleased with our sugar-plums,"
+said Bessie. "Is that your Jessie?"
+
+The old man beckoned to her, and she came forward.
+
+"This is my Jessie, Miss," he answered, "and a good girl she is too. I
+don't know what her old grandfather would do without her. She's given
+up the dearest thing she had for me, bless her!"
+
+Jessie was now standing beside her grandfather, blushing and hanging
+her head at the notice thus drawn upon her.
+
+"What was that?" asked Dora.
+
+"Her parrot, Miss. A splendid parrot that her father, who's now dead
+and gone, brought her from beyond the seas. You'd think he was a human
+creature 'most, to hear him talk, and she loved him next to her old
+grandfather; but she parted with him for my sake."
+
+"Didn't you like him?" asked Bessie.
+
+"Yes, indeed, Miss. I was 'most as fond of the bird as she was herself;
+but it wasn't to be helped. You see I was sick so long, and the doctor
+bid me take a medicine that cost a deal of money, to drive the pain
+out of my bones; and how were we to get it when we'd not enough to buy
+bread from day to day, or to pay the rent that was due? So she sold
+her bird, for I can't do a hand's turn of work just yet."
+
+"That was good of her," said Gracie; "did she get all the money she
+wanted for him?"
+
+"More than we expected, Miss, for the man that keeps the house here,"
+pointing to the Casino, "gave her ten dollars for him. And he lets her
+see him every day, and says when the summer is over she may have him
+back for eight dollars if she can raise it. For Poll draws people to
+the refreshment place, you see, with his funny ways, and his wonderful
+talk, and the keeper thinks he'll get two dollars worth out of him
+before the summer is over. But, Jessie 'll never raise all that money,
+though I have put by my pride, and let her ask charity here of the
+folks in the Park."
+
+"And I don't feel that I ought to take it for that, either," said
+Jessie, as soon as the talkative old man paused for breath, and let her
+have a chance to speak, "'cause grandfather needs so many things, and
+the rent will be falling due before long again, so I must save up for
+straws and ribbon."
+
+"For what?" asked Bessie, while at the same moment Dora said,--
+
+"Why don't you find some work and earn money that way?"
+
+"For straws and ribbon, Miss," said Jessie, answering Bessie's question
+first; then turning to Dora, she added,--
+
+"I would work, Miss, and I do, when I have the things. I make little
+baskets and catchalls, and allumette holders of ribbon and straw and
+beads, and I sell them wherever I can; but the stock was all gone long
+ago, and I've no more to begin on."
+
+"But," said Dora, "if people give you money, why don't you take that to
+buy your materials?"
+
+Jessie shook her head sadly.
+
+"It has taken every cent that's been given to me to buy just bread
+enough for me and grandfather to eat, Miss," she said; "there was
+nothing to spare for any thing else, and any way it is an uncertain
+thing, the selling of the baskets, till the weather is pleasant and
+warm, and people like to stop. Now, you see, is the time for me to be
+making them ready; but there's no use in thinking about it, and as for
+Poll,"--
+
+Jessie's sigh and filling eyes told of the despair with which she
+thought of the recovery of her pet.
+
+"I have some money in my charity-box at home," said Maggie eagerly;
+"I'll give you some to buy straws and ribbon. I have no money with me,
+but Miss Ashton will lend me some for such a good purpose, I know, and
+I'll pay her as soon as we go home. I'll run and ask her."
+
+But there was no need, for there was Miss Ashton come in search of her
+stray lambs, and in two minutes she had heard the story.
+
+Heard it, but scarcely understood it, for that was difficult with one
+and another putting in a word, patching it out in various bits; to say
+nothing of the circumstance that our little girls themselves scarcely
+understood what they were talking about.
+
+Jessie and her grandfather--who had nothing to say now that the lady
+had come, and who stood close to one another, the old man holding
+his hat in his hand and leaning on his stick--were somewhat confused
+themselves by the chatter and flutter of the eager little talkers; and
+when Miss Ashton turned to the latter and began to inquire into his
+story, his usual flow of words seemed to have failed him.
+
+Miss Ashton spoke to Jessie.
+
+"Grandfather was just telling the little ladies about my Polly, ma'am,"
+she said modestly. "If they'd like to see him he's in the house there.
+And if you'd like to have him show off he'll talk better for me than
+for any one else, and I'll go and coax him."
+
+"Oh! can we go and see him?" said Bessie; and Jessie once more saying,
+yes, and that she would go with them, the little girls ran off, while
+Miss Ashton remained to hear the old man's story.
+
+It was a sad, but by no means an uncommon one. Jessie's mother had died
+when she was a baby. Her father, who was mate on a sailing-vessel, had
+been drowned at sea about two years ago. Until his death, his wages,
+together with what the old man made at stone-cutting, had supported
+them all in comfort. And even after that, the grandfather and the child
+had continued to keep along on what the former earned. Jessie, who was
+twelve years old, had been to school pretty steadily till a year ago,
+could "read and write and do up sums," and had also learned to sew.
+
+But about that time the grandfather had taken a heavy cold, from being
+thoroughly wet with rain while at his work; and, neglecting to change
+his clothes, it had settled in all his joints, and a long and painful
+rheumatic illness followed. All the last summer he had lain bound hand
+and foot, the pretty trifles which Jessie had learned to make the
+sole support of the two. But with the winter the sale of her little
+wares had fallen off, poverty and suffering had increased upon them,
+and they had gone from bad to worse, till, as he had told the little
+girls, Jessie had been forced to sell her beloved parrot to keep a
+roof above their heads, and to buy the medicine so much needed for her
+grandfather. They had some help from the church at which they attended,
+but that was little. And now that it was warmer weather, and Jessie
+could begin to sell her wares, she had no money to buy materials, and
+he had consented that she should ask charity of passers-by, and so gain
+a few shillings to begin her trade.
+
+They lived over there in a sad, tumble-down place, the old man said,
+"and he never thought to bring his Jessie to that; but the Lord had His
+own ways, and when He saw fit, He could take them out of this trouble."
+
+The story was told with a straightforward simplicity, and a natural
+pathos which went far to convince Miss Ashton that it must be true; but
+she took down the name and address of the clergyman of whom the old man
+spoke. This gentleman lived in one of the streets bordering on the
+Park, and Miss Ashton resolved to see him and hear his report before
+she left for home. If these poor people were really in such need,
+and deserving of help, she could not let them suffer longer than was
+necessary.
+
+She told old Malcolm--for that he said was his name--that he did not
+do well to rest upon the bank. The ground, she said, was not yet warm
+enough for his aching bones.
+
+But he answered that it was far better than the damp, cold shanty where
+he and Jessie had lived for the last two months, for here on a bright
+day he had the sunshine, and the fresh, clear air, and little of either
+of these ever found their way into the miserable cabin.
+
+Malcolm's language and manner, as well as those of his grand-daughter,
+showed that he had indeed been used to "better days;" and he seemed so
+patient and uncomplaining that Miss Ashton felt much interested in him,
+and anxious to do something for his relief.
+
+She bade him come farther on, and find a seat upon a pleasant, sunny
+bench, where she would furnish him and Jessie with some food; but when
+she said this, he told her some of the little ones of her party were
+afraid of him, and he did not wish to trouble them.
+
+He looked troubled himself when he said this; and Miss Ashton had to
+tell him that one of her young scholars had been so foolish and wrong
+as to tell a falsehood--she could call it nothing less--to frighten the
+others; but that they all knew the truth now, and would be afraid of
+him no longer.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+IV.
+
+_THE PARROT._
+
+
+Meanwhile the children were amusing themselves with the parrot. The
+whole flock had followed Jessie to make his acquaintance, Maggie having
+called the others to join them; and even the still sobbing Belle forgot
+her troubles in this new object of interest.
+
+The bird proved to be in a most amiable and sociable humor; and, to the
+great delight of his former little mistress, exhibited himself in a
+most gratifying manner.
+
+His cage was placed before a little stand just outside of a window
+opening upon the verandah; and when the children first saw him he was
+swinging head downwards from one of the bars, hanging by one claw, and
+appearing to take no notice of any thing until Jessie called to him.
+
+Then he put out the other claw, and swung himself upright; immediately
+commencing a kind of dance upon his perch, as if in an ecstacy, and
+calling out,--
+
+"Jessie! Jessie! pretty Jessie, good Jessie."
+
+"Good Polly," said Jessie, while the children gathered around in great
+delight. "How are you, Polly?"
+
+"Polly pretty well; Polly all right," answered the bird.
+
+The little girls were astonished, as indeed were the ladies who had
+accompanied them. Not one among the group but had often seen parrots
+who would repeat certain set phrases, but this bird actually answered
+questions, and as if he understood them too.
+
+"What does Polly want?" asked Jessie, delighted at the sensation her
+pet was producing.
+
+"Polly want a bit of sugar," answered the bird.
+
+Jessie put her hand into her pocket, and produced one of the
+sugar-plums the children had thrown to her, and held it up before the
+parrot's greedy eyes.
+
+"Dance a jig then, and sing a song, Polly," she said.
+
+Polly forthwith commenced a kind of seesaw on his perch, swaying his
+body back and forth, balancing himself first on one foot, then on
+the other, in a measured sort of way which he probably supposed to
+be dancing. At any rate, his audience were contented to accept it as
+such, and he met with continued applause, until suddenly bringing his
+gyrations to a close he screamed in a loud, discordant voice,--
+
+"Sugar!"
+
+"Sing then," said Jessie.
+
+In a sharp, cracked, but very distinct voice, and with some resemblance
+to a tune, the parrot began,--
+
+    "Mary had a little lamb,
+     Its fleece was white as snow,
+    And everywhere that"--
+
+Here he came to an abrupt close, eying the sugar-plum wistfully.
+
+"Sing it," said Jessie; and he began again.
+
+    "Mary had a little lamb,
+     Its fleece was white as snow,
+    And everywhere that Mary went,
+     The lamb--sugar--sugar--sugar,"
+
+screamed the creature, amid peals of laughter from the children,
+who now begged that he might have the coveted reward, which Jessie
+accordingly gave him.
+
+"He knows it all," she said; "but I can hardly ever make him sing it
+through."
+
+Poll took the sugar-plum gingerly in one claw, and sat nibbling at it
+till it was all gone, while the children crowded around him, admiring
+his gay, bright-colored feathers, and expressing their wonder at his
+accomplishments and sense.
+
+"Now you must show off some more," said Jessie, when the bird had
+disposed of his feast. "Polly, where is the naughty child?"
+
+To the intense delight of the children, Poll began to scream and cry
+exactly like a passionate child, after which he laughed and chuckled
+with satisfaction at his own performances, then crowed like a rooster,
+baa-ed like a nanny-goat, barked like a dog, and mewed like a cat.
+After all this he took up intelligent conversation again.
+
+"Polly's a pr-r-r-etty bird; Polly's a good bird; Polly's a wise bird,"
+he screamed, in all of which his little hearers entirely agreed.
+
+"Who do you love, Polly?" asked Jessie.
+
+"Polly love Jessie; Jessie a good girl," was the answer.
+
+"Where's your master, Polly?"
+
+"Bob Malcolm gone to sea. Good-bye, good-bye, good-bye," screamed the
+parrot.
+
+"Sing a song of"--began Jessie, and the parrot took up the strain.
+
+    "Sing a song of sixpence,
+     A pocket full of rye"--
+
+Here he came to a stop, nor could he be coaxed to finish the couplet,
+though Jessie assured the audience that he could, if he chose, sing the
+first four lines of the old song all through.
+
+However, he condescended to repeat some of his former performances. But
+it would take too long to tell all the feats of this remarkable bird;
+and you must not think that these I have related are quite impossible,
+for I have seen a parrot who could do all that is here described, and
+more too. The children were so interested and amused that they could
+scarcely be persuaded to leave him when Patrick announced that their
+lunch was ready; and Jessie, who was bidden by Miss Ashton to join her
+grandfather and share the meal provided for him, was begged to keep
+within call, so that they might return to the entertainment when they
+had finished their lunch.
+
+While this was going on, Miss Ashton told the story she had heard from
+old Malcolm, and said that she was so much interested in him and
+his grandchild, that she would go after lunch and see the clergyman,
+while the little girls amused themselves for a while under the care
+of the other ladies. She carried out this purpose, and went on her
+kind errand, followed by many a hope that she would find the story all
+correct.
+
+But when the children went back to the parrot they were disappointed,
+for he proved cross or tired or in a less sociable mood than he had
+been before, and he very rudely turned his back upon them, and would
+utter no words save,--
+
+"Hold your tongue! Hold your tongue!" every time any one spoke to him.
+So, finding this neither polite nor amusing, the company left him and
+scattered themselves in search of other entertainment.
+
+"How sober you look, Maggie; what are you thinking about?" asked Hattie
+Leroy, coming up to where Maggie Bradford stood leaning upon a stone
+railing.
+
+Maggie looked thoughtful, it may be, but hardly sober, for her
+thoughts seemed pleasant ones, to judge by the light in her eye, and
+the half smile upon her lip.
+
+"I have an idea," said Maggie, "and I think it's a nice one, at least
+if we are allowed to do it."
+
+"What is it?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Well," said Maggie, "I don't care to have it talked about very much
+till we know if we can do it; but I was thinking it would be so
+nice if we could have a little fair, just ourselves, you know, the
+school-children and Bessie and me. I know some children who had a fair
+in their own house, and they made money enough to pay for a bed in St.
+Luke's Hospital for a poor, lame child; and I thought perhaps we could
+make enough to buy back Jessie's parrot for her; and to make a more
+comfortable home for them. We could make things for the fair, and ask
+our friends to help us. Mamma would make some for us, I know, and so
+will Aunt Annie, and, I think, Aunt Bessie and Aunt May."
+
+"Where could we have it?" asked Hattie, who seemed much interested.
+
+"In one of our own houses," said Maggie, "or,--that was another thought
+I had,--perhaps Miss Ashton would be so very good as to let us have
+it at her house. The piazza would be lovely for it; and she generally
+lets us have some party-ish kind of a thing when school breaks up. Last
+year we had a giving of prizes; and at Christmas we had a Christmas
+festival, and a queen both times."
+
+"Yes," said Hattie, "and Gracie said it was shameful that you were
+queen both times. She thinks it was very selfish in you."
+
+Maggie colored violently.
+
+"The queen was chosen," she said, "and the girls chose me. I did not
+make myself queen."
+
+"Well, Gracie did not like it one bit," said Hattie, "and she thinks
+you had no right to be queen when you did not go to the school the last
+time."
+
+Maggie was silent, but the gladness was gone from her face.
+
+"Wouldn't it be too cold to have the fair on the piazza?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Not by the time we are ready," said Maggie. "You know it will take a
+good while to make enough things, and Miss Ashton does not close the
+school till the first of June. I heard her tell mamma so the other day.
+And by that time it will be quite warm and pleasant, and there will
+be plenty of flowers. I was thinking we could dress the piazza with
+wreaths and festoons and flags; and we could make some kind of a throne
+and canopy at one end. And there we could have the flower-table and the
+queen behind it, with some maids of honor to sell flowers."
+
+If Maggie imagined that Hattie would express any admiration or approval
+of her plan, she was mistaken. Hattie seemed interested, and asked a
+great many questions, as to how Maggie would arrange such and such
+matters, but she did not act as if she thought the "idea" very fine
+after all, and this was rather different from the way in which Maggie
+was accustomed to have her plans received. But she did not care for
+that; she was not a vain child, constantly seeking for admiration, and
+she was too full of her subject to pay much heed to Hattie's cool way
+of hearing this one.
+
+"I'm not going to say much about it till I see if mamma approves," she
+said. "Then I'll ask Miss Ashton and tell all the children about it.
+There are Bessie and Lily beckoning to me; let us go and see what they
+want."
+
+And away she ran, intending to tell her sister and Belle and Lily of
+her plan on the first convenient opportunity; but not willing, as she
+had said, to make it public till she learned if it could be carried
+out. She did not yet feel as if she knew Hattie very well, and she
+was rather astonished at herself for having talked so freely to her;
+but the truth was, that Hattie had come upon her rather unawares, and
+asked her what she was thinking of, at the moment when she was turning
+her "idea" over in her mind, and she had told her almost without
+reflection. Still she did not exactly regret having done so, and, after
+what she had said, never supposed that Hattie would mention what she
+had told her.
+
+Upright, honorable Maggie judged others by herself, and was entirely
+unsuspicious of evil.
+
+It would take too much space in this little book, and you would not
+care to have a particular description of all the various points of
+interest visited by our party throughout the day,--the Arsenal with
+its collection of wild beasts and monkeys; the great reservoir with
+its blue water, looking like a lake within walls, as indeed it is; the
+lovely Ramble through which they wandered for a long time, and many
+another pleasant spot. They are all familiar to many of you, and those
+to whom they are not, may make acquaintance with them some day.
+
+You may be sure that Miss Ashton did not leave old Malcolm and his
+grand-daughter without some remembrance of this day, for she was not
+only very sorry for them and felt that they were really in need of
+assistance, but she also knew that Jessie and her wonderful bird had
+added much to the entertainment of her little flock. She gave Jessie
+money enough to furnish herself with materials to begin her little
+trade again, and, leaving her address with her, bade her bring some of
+her pretty toys to her house when they should be made.
+
+They were all in the omnibus once more, and had started on their
+homeward way, all rather tired and quiet with the day's ramble, when
+what was Maggie's astonishment to hear Hattie say,--
+
+"Miss Ashton, Maggie and I have such a very nice plan. We thought we
+might have a fair, just us children, and ask our friends to help us;
+and then we could sell the things we made, or that were given to us,
+and so earn a good deal of money to help Jessie and her grandfather,
+and to buy back the parrot for her. And we might have it when the
+weather is warm and pleasant, just before school closes, so that we
+could have it out of doors; and perhaps, Miss Ashton, you would not
+mind letting us hold it on your piazza and in the garden. And Jessie
+might make some of her pretty baskets and things for it, and we could
+sell them for her. We thought we could raise a good deal of money that
+way, for almost all our friends would be glad to come."
+
+It would be hard to tell whether indignation or surprise was uppermost
+in Maggie's mind, as she sat utterly speechless and confounded, while
+Hattie ran on thus, disclosing in this public manner the plans which
+she had said were to be kept secret until her own mamma and Miss Ashton
+had heard and approved of them.
+
+Yes, here was Hattie not only doing this, but speaking as if she had
+been the inventor of the cherished "idea," and as if Maggie had only
+fallen in with it, perhaps helped it out a little.
+
+Maggie was too shy to speak out as many children would have done, and
+to say,--
+
+"That was my plan, Miss Ashton. I was the first one to think of that;"
+and she sat with her color changing, and her eyes fixed wonderingly and
+reproachfully on Hattie as she spoke, feeling somehow as if she had
+been wronged, and yet not exactly seeing the way to right herself.
+
+"Oh! that would be delightful," said Gracie. "Miss Ashton, do you think
+you could let us do it?"
+
+"Well, I might," said Miss Ashton. "That is not a bad idea, Hattie. I
+will talk to my mother about it and see what she thinks, and you may
+all tell your friends at home, and learn if they approve."
+
+"If we could have the fair on your piazza," continued Hattie eagerly,
+"we could dress it up very prettily with wreaths and flowers, and we
+could make a kind of a bower at one end, and choose one of the girls
+for a queen, and let it be her throne-room, and there we could have the
+flower-table. Some of the children told me you always let them have a
+festival before vacation, Miss Ashton; and we might put it off till a
+little later, so that it would be warm and pleasant, and we should have
+plenty of flowers."
+
+There was not one of the children who did not raise her voice in favor
+of the new plan except Nellie Ransom, who sat opposite to Maggie, and
+who watched her changing face, and looked from her to Hattie with
+inquiring and rather suspicious looks.
+
+Lily clapped her hands, and almost sprang from her seat.
+
+"I'll begin to work for the fair this very evening!" she said. "No
+more of your putting off for me. I'll bring down mamma's ribbon-box
+and worsted-box, if she'll let me, and ask her what I can have, and
+to-morrow I'll ask her to let me make something."
+
+"And we'll ask mamma and Aunt Annie, won't we, Maggie?" said Bessie;
+"and Belle, we'll ask them for some things for you too."
+
+Bessie received no answer from Maggie, who, feeling as if the whole
+matter had been taken out of her hands, poor child, and as if she had
+been robbed of her property, dared not speak, lest she should burst
+into tears.
+
+"I have a whole lot of money saved up," said Lily, "and I'll take some
+of it to buy what I want to make pretty things, and keep the rest to
+spend at the fair."
+
+"Haven't you to pay your missionary money to our box yet?" asked Bessie.
+
+"Well, I haven't paid it yet," said Lily, "but I don't know if I will
+give a dollar this year. I've supported the heathen for two years now,
+and I think I'd like a little change of charity. Wouldn't you, Maggie?"
+
+Maggie only nodded assent, scarce knowing what question she was
+replying to.
+
+"Maggie," said Belle, "you don't seem very interested; why don't you
+talk about the fair and give us new ideas, as you 'most always do?"
+
+"Does something provoke you or trouble you, Maggie, dear?" asked
+Bessie, looking into her sister's perplexed face.
+
+"Hattie," said Nellie suddenly, fixing her eyes searchingly on the
+little girl she addressed, "what put that idea of the fair into your
+head?"
+
+"Oh!" answered Hattie in some confusion, "I--that is, we, Maggie and I,
+just thought it would be nice, and so we talked about it a little, and
+made up our minds to ask Miss Ashton about it."
+
+Quick-witted Lily caught Nellie's suspicion, and so did Bessie; and the
+former, who had worn an air of displeasure with Hattie ever since the
+affair of the morning, asked promptly,--
+
+"Who was the _first_ to make up that idea,--the fair and the queen in
+the flower bower, and dressing the piazza and all? Who was it, I say?"
+
+"Well," answered Hattie reluctantly, "Maggie was the first to think
+about it, and we talked it over together and arranged it all."
+
+"I knew it!" cried Lily triumphantly; "I just knew it was Maggie. It
+sounds just like her making up. Hattie," she added reproachfully, "you
+tried to make us think it was yours."
+
+"I didn't," said Hattie. "I never said so."
+
+"You didn't just _say_ so," said Bessie solemnly, "but you tried to
+give that _depression_."
+
+"I didn't," pouted Hattie again; "and we did talk about it together,
+didn't we, Maggie?"
+
+Maggie only gave a faint smile by way of answer, for she felt that she
+could not honestly allow that Hattie had suggested one single idea; and
+still she was too generous to wish to blame her more than she could
+avoid.
+
+And for the second time that day was Hattie made to feel that her
+want of strict truthfulness had lowered her in the eyes of her young
+companions.
+
+"Umph!" said Lily severely; "appears to me, Miss Hattie"--
+
+But she was not allowed to finish the intended reproach, for Miss
+Ashton, seeing symptoms of a quarrel, hastened to avert it, and gently
+bade Lily be quiet.
+
+Lily obeyed; but her eye still rested sternly upon Hattie, and the
+latter was forced to bear more than one disapproving gaze during the
+remainder of the drive home.
+
+"I am afraid," said Miss Ashton to her mother that evening, "that
+Hattie Leroy is by no means a truthful child;" and she told of the
+occurrences of the day, adding that it was not the first time she had
+noticed a want of openness and uprightness, little acted deceits, a
+keeping back of the whole truth, and even, now and then a deliberate
+falsehood; and more than all, a manner of repeating a thing which gave
+it a very different meaning from what the speaker intended, so often
+making mischief and discomfort.
+
+"That is bad, very bad," said Mrs. Ashton; "it may affect the other
+children."
+
+"I would rather hope that they may have a good influence on her,"
+answered her daughter. "The standard of truth is so high in our school,
+thanks, I believe, to dear little Bessie Bradford, Maggie, Belle,
+and one or two others, that any departure from it is considered a
+very serious offence. Lily, with all her thoughtlessness and love of
+mischief, is strictly truthful; so are Dora and Nellie. Gracie is the
+only one for whom I fear, for, although I think she would be shocked at
+the idea of telling a deliberate untruth, her conceit and wish to be
+first are so great that they often lead her to exaggerate and give a
+false coloring to what she says of herself as compared with others."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+V.
+
+_GRANDMAMMA HOWARD._
+
+
+The proposal for the fair met with a pretty general approval from
+the parents and friends of the little girls, and they received many
+promises of help.
+
+"Aunt Annie" undertook to show Maggie, Bessie, and Belle how to make
+any pretty articles they might wish to undertake. Lily's mamma did
+the same for her, and none of the children were left entirely without
+assistance.
+
+When Jessie came to Miss Ashton with her pretty little wares, she
+was told what was proposed, and bidden to have as large a supply
+as possible, so that they might be offered for sale with the other
+articles; and the lady and some of her friends kindly bought so many
+of those already on hand that Jessie was furnished with the means of
+procuring her materials at once.
+
+The older class in Mrs. Ashton's room also entered with spirit into
+the affair, promising all the assistance that they could give, so that
+there was good prospect it would be a success. The time fixed was the
+first day of June, if the weather should be pleasant; if not, the first
+fair day after that.
+
+One morning Gracie Howard came to school in a state of great excitement.
+
+"My grandmamma," she said to the other children, "takes the greatest
+interest in our fair, and she is going to give us ever so many things
+for it. She told me to invite you all to come to her house this
+afternoon, and she has a whole lot of pieces of silk and ribbons, and
+worsteds and beads, and ever so many lovely things to divide among us.
+And what is better still, she says she would like each child to make
+some article expressly for her, and she will buy it."
+
+"Oh, delightful!" "How kind! how nice!" "What a great help!" came from
+one and another of her little hearers.
+
+"And," continued Gracie, warming with her subject, "she wants some
+particular things. Two toilet sets of lace and muslin, one lined and
+trimmed with blue, the other with pink; and two mats for flower vases,
+to be exactly alike. I am going to do one of the mats, and grandmamma
+says she thinks the other one and both the toilet sets had better be
+made by some of us older children, because she thinks the little ones
+can scarcely do them. And she will give ten dollars for the mat that is
+worked the most nicely and evenly, and nine for the other; eight for
+the best toilet set, and seven for the second; and she will give us all
+the materials. Just think of that! Why, whoever has the best mat will
+earn more than the price of Jessie's parrot! I wanted grandmamma to say
+that one might have the buying of the parrot for her own part; but she
+said that would not be just to the rest who had a share in the fair;
+and that she had no right to say so, either. I don't see why, and I
+think she might have let me."
+
+"Why, you don't know that you will have the nicest mat," said Lily.
+
+"See if I don't then," said Gracie. "I can work much better than any of
+you, I know."
+
+"If I didn't live in such a very glass house myself, I'd say
+_petticoat_ to you," said Lily, who had lately shown a fancy for the
+use of proverbs, after the manner of Maggie Bradford.
+
+Gracie tossed her head, and put on the expression which children call,
+"turning up their noses."
+
+She knew very well what Lily meant, how not long since she had boasted
+of herself, and been so very sure that she would outdo all others, and
+how she had miserably failed in the end.
+
+But, in spite of this consciousness, she was not at all taken down
+by Lily's reminder, for she felt herself a person of more than usual
+consideration and importance that morning; not without more than
+ordinary reason, was thought by most of her companions, for it was
+really a fine thing to have such a munificent grandmamma, who was ready
+to do so much for the grand object at present in the minds of each and
+every one.
+
+It was true also, and well known in the school that Gracie did worsted
+work remarkably well and evenly for a little girl, and that there was
+more reason than common for her belief that she should outshine all
+the others. Still her constant boasting was never agreeable, and Lily
+always would set herself to combat it with all her might.
+
+"Are not Maggie and Bessie to try with us too?" she asked.
+
+"Of course," answered Gracie; "they are just as much in the fair as we
+are; and Maggie works so nicely."
+
+"Should think she did," said Lily; "better than
+_a-ny--child--in--the--whole--world_."
+
+The extreme deliberation with which this was said, made it very
+forcible, and gave the remark all the point which was intended. Woe to
+the person who, in Lily's hearing, ventured to deny that her particular
+friends, Maggie and Bessie Bradford, were not all that was wisest,
+best, and prettiest.
+
+"Besides," said Belle, "Bessie was the first to find out Jessie and
+her grandfather, so it seems as if it was very much her charity and
+Maggie's. Good-morning, dear Miss Ashton;" and little Belle flew to
+meet her teacher, whom she dearly loved, and began to tell her of this
+new and delightful arrangement.
+
+But she had hardly commenced when she checked herself, and saying,--
+
+"But it is Gracie's to tell about, and I expect she would like to,"
+turned to her schoolmate, and allowed her, nothing loath, to take up
+the tale.
+
+Miss Ashton approved, and readily consented to what was proposed; but
+she was sorry to see that, as usual, Gracie took the chief credit,
+and claimed the first place for herself in the new plan; seeming, as
+before, not to have the slightest doubt that her work would be the
+best, and bring the highest premium. However, she would say nothing now
+to damp the general pleasure and enthusiasm, but called her young flock
+to the business of the day without reproof or remonstrance.
+
+On the way home from school, Gracie called to invite Maggie and Bessie
+to her grandmamma's house that afternoon; and at the appointed hour
+the whole "committee," as Maggie called it, were assembled in the
+drawing-room of the kind old lady.
+
+"Now," said Mrs. Howard, "we will settle first who among you are to
+take these pieces of work. Gracie seemed to think that all who were
+able to work nicely would prefer worsted work, so I have here two pairs
+of mats, as well as the toilet sets; and you may decide for yourselves
+which you will take. As for the younger ones, I will leave it to them
+to choose the things they will make for me, as each one knows what she
+is best able to do."
+
+Gracie looked dismayed and displeased at the first part of her
+grandmother's speech; and, not daring to object aloud, she whispered to
+Hattie, who stood next her,--
+
+"It's too bad! There grandmamma goes and gives three chances against
+me."
+
+"Never mind, you'll have the first," answered Hattie; "you know you
+work better than any of the others."
+
+"How many of you," continued the old lady, "are able to do worsted work
+nicely?"
+
+"I can, grandmamma, _very_ nicely," said Gracie promptly, while the
+others, more modest and shy, looked from one to another.
+
+"Maggie Bradford works very nicely, ma'am," said Nellie Ransom.
+
+"And so do you too, my dear, if I'm not mistaken," said Mrs. Howard.
+"Would you like to do one of the mats?"
+
+"If you please, ma'am," said Nellie, and stepping up, Mrs. Howard gave
+her her choice among the mats.
+
+"Ah! you have made the same choice as Gracie," said the old lady.
+"Well, we shall see who will do the best. Gracie, take the mat, my
+dear. Now for the other pair. Maggie, will you have one?"
+
+But Maggie held back a little; and at length, with many blushes said,
+that she would prefer to take one of the toilet sets, because Bessie
+was anxious to help her, and she could do some of the easy sewing on
+the ruffles, but she could not do worsted work evenly enough to go with
+her own.
+
+Dora took one of the second pair of mats; and Hattie, who was next
+in age, and who knew very little about embroidering, chose the other
+toilet set, as she believed she could do that better than the mat.
+
+Maggie looked wishfully at this, and Mrs. Howard saw the look.
+
+"Would you like to take this also, Maggie, dear?" she said. "You
+deserve some reward for being so unselfish, and if it is not too much
+for you to undertake, you are quite welcome to try it."
+
+"Oh no, ma'am!" said Maggie with brightening eyes; "we have nearly
+seven weeks, you know, and with Bessie's help, and Aunt Annie to
+arrange all the work for me, I think I could do both. But I don't care
+for a reward, Mrs. Howard, for you know if Jessie and her grandfather
+have the money, it does not make much difference who does the most."
+
+"No, truly," said Mrs. Howard; "and it is not that you may strive to
+outdo one another that I make these offers, but only that you may all
+try your best to have the work well done. I am an old-fashioned woman,
+my dears, and I like to see every little girl brought up to use her
+needle properly, and to keep her things in order; so I say that it is
+not so much the beauty of the work, as the care and neatness with which
+it is done that I shall look at. Keep it from spot or stain, or from
+being frayed or rubbed; this you can all do with proper care."
+
+Then Mrs. Howard repeated how much she would give for each article,
+promising also once more to buy some pretty trifle from each of the
+younger children; and they all felt as if a large sum was already
+secure for Jessie and her grandfather.
+
+After this, the treasures of lace, muslin, ribbons, flowers, beads,
+and worsteds of all colors were displayed to their delighted eyes,
+and divided with as much fairness as was possible. Not a child but
+carried home with her a most precious package, already in the eyes of
+the little ones transformed into many an article of use and beauty for
+the benefit of old Malcolm and his grandchild. The fair was now the
+all-absorbing subject of thought and conversation among Miss Ashton's
+young scholars and their little friends, Maggie and Bessie Bradford;
+and a fit of uncommon industry had seized upon each and every one.
+
+But, one morning, only two days after the meeting of the young people
+at her house, Mrs. Howard was surprised to hear that Maggie Bradford
+wanted to see her; and ordering her to be shown in, the little girl
+entered, followed by her sister and nurse.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Maggie looked flushed and uncomfortable, and held a small parcel in
+her hand; but, after she had said good-morning to Mrs. Howard a fit of
+shyness came over her, and she could not tell her errand.
+
+So Bessie spoke for her.
+
+"Mrs. Howard," said the little girl, who was herself rather confused,
+but who felt bound to help Maggie out of her trouble, "Maggie has come
+to bring you back the mat. She thinks it is rather better for her not
+to do it."
+
+"Did you find you had undertaken too much, Maggie, my dear?" asked the
+old lady encouragingly.
+
+"N-n-no, ma'am," whispered Maggie, plucking up a few crumbs of courage
+as she heard the kind tone, "no, it was not that; but we thought I'd
+better bring it back to you."
+
+"But you must have some reason," said Mrs. Howard. "Can you not tell me
+what it is? Has Gracie been saying any thing unkind to you?"
+
+"Gracie has not said any thing to me about it, ma'am," said Maggie
+rather evasively.
+
+"Please don't ask us, Mrs. Howard," said Bessie gravely. "Maggie and I
+overturned our minds about it, and thought we'd better bring back the
+mat; but we do not want to tell tales."
+
+"Then I shall not ask," said Mrs. Howard; but from the very fact that
+Bessie had innocently begged that they might not be pressed to "tell
+tales," she felt that her suspicions were tolerably correct. Gracie's
+desire to be _first_, and the fear that others should excel, or even
+equal her, were becoming so great that they often blinded her to what
+was just and kind.
+
+"There are plenty of pretty things that we can make, Mrs. Howard," said
+Maggie, "and I would rather not do any thing that any one might think
+was not my share."
+
+"Very well, dear, as you please," answered the old lady; "but since you
+do not choose to make this I shall not give it to any one else."
+
+When Maggie and Bessie had gone, the old lady put on her bonnet
+and went around to her son's house, where she found her little
+grand-daughter at home.
+
+"Gracie," she said, after a little talk, "Maggie Bradford came to see
+me just now, bringing back the mat which she was to have worked for the
+fair. Do you know any reason why she should have done so?"
+
+"Why, no, grandmamma!" answered Gracie, turning her eyes upon her
+grandmother in unfeigned and unmistakable surprise, which left no doubt
+of the perfect truth of her answer.
+
+"Think," said the old lady, believing that she might have forgotten.
+"You know you were not pleased that I should give Maggie the two things
+to make for me; have you said any thing that could hurt her feelings,
+and show her that you were displeased?"
+
+"I never said one word to Maggie about the mat, grandmamma," said
+Gracie, "and I can't see how"--she paused, as if struck by some sudden
+thought, and coloring, added uneasily--"I did talk to Hattie about it,
+and I was rather provoked, because I did not see why Maggie should
+have a better chance than the rest to make so much for the fair.
+And--and--perhaps Hattie went and told Maggie; but it was real mean of
+her if she did; and besides there was nothing for Maggie to be so mad
+at, and make such a fuss about."
+
+"Maggie was not 'mad,' as you call it, Gracie; so far from it that she
+would say nothing to throw blame upon you or any one else," said her
+grandmother; "but it was plain that she had been vexed and hurt."
+
+"Gracie," said her mother who sat by, "it would be a sad thing if _you_
+should show yourself so wanting in feeling and gratitude as to say
+unkind things of Maggie, or to injure her in any way, especially in
+such a matter as this."
+
+"Well, mamma, and I'm sure I wouldn't," said Gracie, with a little
+pout. "I am very fond of Maggie, and I wouldn't do a thing to her; but
+I did feel rather provoked about the mat, only I did not mean her to
+know it. I'm just going to ask Hattie if she told her what I said."
+
+Gracie was really uncomfortable. She remembered that she had in a
+moment of pettishness, made one or two remarks to Hattie which she
+would not have cared to make in Maggie's hearing; but she would not
+willingly have offended the latter. She knew very well to what her
+mother referred when she spoke of Maggie. How a year ago when a
+prize had been offered for composition by Miss Ashton's uncle, she
+and Maggie had been believed to stand far ahead of the rest; how her
+own composition, all ready for presentation, had been lost, and that
+through her own inordinate vanity; how Maggie and Bessie had found it,
+and like the honorable little girls they were, had brought it at once
+to her, although they believed that by so doing Maggie was deprived of
+all chance of the much wished-for prize. It was true that neither she
+nor Maggie had gained it, for it had fallen to Nellie Ransom; but that
+did not lessen, or should not have lessened, Gracie's gratitude to her
+little friend; and as her mother said, it ill became her to nurse any
+feeling of jealousy towards Maggie.
+
+"Gracie," said her mother, "can you remember exactly what you said
+about Maggie?"
+
+"No, mamma," answered the child, looking thoughtful and a little
+troubled; "but it was not much, I think."
+
+"I am afraid," said Mrs. Howard, "that a very little sometimes becomes
+much in Hattie's keeping. I do not know that she really wishes to make
+mischief, but her love of talking and her want of strict truthfulness
+lead her to exaggerate, and also, I fear, to repeat many a thing with a
+very different meaning from that which the speaker intended. The more
+I see of her, the plainer does this become to me; and I fear, Gracie,
+that she is not a safe friend for you."
+
+"Mamma," said Gracie, in a tone of some offence, "you'd never think
+that Hattie could make _me_ learn to tell stories, do you? Why, I never
+told a falsehood in my life, and I'm sure I'd never think of doing such
+a thing."
+
+"I am sure I hope not, my child," said her mother, "but I fear
+temptation for you, Gracie; and I think Hattie encourages you in your
+great fault, your self-conceit and desire for admiration. And, although
+I do not think that you ever mean to be untruthful, my daughter, your
+idea of your own merits often leads you into exaggeration of these, and
+makes you unwilling to see them in others."
+
+Gracie pouted, and put on the expression she always wore if she were
+found fault with.
+
+"Mamma," she said, "I think that is a very horrid character to give any
+one; and I am sure you need not think I ever could tell a falsehood or
+do any thing mean to any one."
+
+"I do not say you would, Gracie. I only want you to beware of
+temptation."
+
+"I shan't fall into temptation, no fear of that," said Gracie almost
+scornfully; not scorn of her mother, but of the idea that she was not
+quite able to take care of herself, and that she could be led into
+wrong-doing.
+
+"And I shall be obliged to say," continued Mrs. Howard, "that I do not
+think it best for you to be so much with Hattie. She is doing you no
+good. I cannot keep you apart altogether, but you must not ask me to
+let you have her here so often, nor can I allow you to go to her house
+as much as you have done. When I see you have a more gentle and humble
+spirit, Gracie, and learning to stand by another strength than your
+own, I may not so much fear evil companionship for you; but this very
+belief that you cannot fall makes you all the more ready to do so."
+
+Gracie flounced out of the room in high displeasure, muttering to
+herself as she went upstairs that her mother always thought "every one
+better than me," and "it was very unjust," and "just as if I could fall
+into the temptation of telling a story."
+
+Mrs. Howard sighed, and looked troubled, as she well might; and so did
+grandmamma, as they talked together on this subject, and considered
+what was best to be done with Gracie. Her overwhelming desire for
+admiration; her wish to be first in every thing; her self-conceit and
+impatience of reproof were day by day growing stronger and stronger,
+and overrunning all that was fair and lovely in her character. It was,
+as the mother had said, difficult to break off all intercourse between
+her and Hattie, although it was certain that the latter was exercising
+no good influence on Gracie; for the two families were intimate, and
+it was impossible, without giving offence, to keep the two children
+entirely apart. Moreover, they were schoolmates, and had grown really
+fond of one another, although Gracie was losing confidence in Hattie,
+as she could not but perceive that she had by no means a strict regard
+for truth.
+
+But little did Gracie dream that Hattie's influence or example could
+ever lead her astray in this way.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+VI.
+
+_JEALOUSY._
+
+
+Days went by, and all was progressing famously for the fair; at least
+so thought the little workers. New offers of help came in; new articles
+were promised, and some even sent, early as it was, and these were
+committed to Miss Ashton's keeping until the appointed day--the first
+of June--should arrive. Mrs. Bradford promised all the ice-cream
+that should be needed for the refreshment table; Mrs. Howard the
+strawberries; another mamma offered jelly; two or three cake; Mr.
+Powers promised a quantity of French bonbons; and from all sides came
+offers of flowers. Mr. Stanton, the little Bradfords' "Uncle Ruthven,"
+said he would furnish flags and banners enough to deck the piazza; and
+mammas, grandmammas, aunts, and cousins were coaxed and wheedled out
+of so many bright ribbons for the same purpose, that it might have
+been supposed that they were expected to go in grave colors for the
+remainder of their days.
+
+And if you had seen the doll that Miss Annie Stanton and her
+sister-in-law were dressing as a baby!
+
+If you had but seen that doll!
+
+With a face so sweet, and so like a "real live baby" that it almost
+startled one to come upon it unawares in some place where the real
+live baby could not have been found! such hands and feet! and oh, such
+a fitting out! Day by day the progress of that doll's wardrobe was
+watched with eager, delighted eyes by Maggie, Bessie, Belle, and Lily,
+who had more opportunities for this than the rest of the children.
+These last were, however, invited in every now and then, to see the
+wonder as it grew; and that doll became the great object of interest,
+in comparison with which the remainder of the fair arrangements were
+as nothing. Every thing that was dainty and pretty and cunning was
+furnished for the baby doll; not only clothes without number, but also
+a tasteful cradle lined and trimmed with blue silk, white muslin, and
+lace; and a baby basket, furnished completely with all that the most
+exacting infant could require. In short, this was plainly to be the
+grand attraction of the fair, at least in the eyes of the younger
+portion of its patrons, for the fame of the doll spread far and wide,
+and great was the curiosity of those who had never had the opportunity
+of witnessing its beauties.
+
+And the question arose and was eagerly discussed, who was to be the
+munificent purchaser? who, oh! who, the fortunate possessor? Papas and
+mammas were besieged with petitions and coaxings, but wisely declined
+making positive promises till the price of the wonderful prize should
+be fixed, and the doll herself put up for sale. Money-jugs were broken,
+and "savings banks" emptied, that the contents might be counted over
+and over to ascertain if there was any possibility that they might
+reach the sum which would probably be required; allowances were saved
+up in the same hope.
+
+The only trouble about it was, that as Maggie Bradford said, "only one
+could have the doll, and so all the rest were doomed to disappointment,
+which made it a case in which it would be well if one man's meat were
+every other man's poison."
+
+Jessie and her grandfather were cared for in the meanwhile. Miss Ashton
+had interested several of her friends in them; the children had done
+the same with their parents; and Mr. Bradford, Mr. Norris, and one or
+two other gentlemen had been to see old Malcolm, and finding that there
+was little or no probability of his cure while he remained in the cold,
+damp shanty, where he had been living for the last few months, had
+furnished him with more comfortable lodging.
+
+Jessie's wares were also finding a good market, and every week she
+came down into the city with a number. Some of these she sold to such
+purchasers as came in her way, and whatever were left over she carried
+to Miss Ashton, and put in her hands for the fair.
+
+She was also making some particularly choice articles which she kept
+back for exhibition and sale on that occasion; and among them were half
+a dozen boxes of straw and bright-colored ribbons, with an initial
+letter woven in beads upon the top of each. There had been but four of
+them at first, bearing respectively an M, a B, a G, and a D, standing
+for Maggie, Bessie, Gracie, and Dora; for Jessie looked upon these as
+her first friends, because they had first become interested in her
+story. But Bessie having mentioned that Belle and Lily were "just
+like ourselves, and my sister and I would be pleased to buy boxes for
+them at the fair," Jessie completed two more with an L for Lily, and
+a B for Belle. There was a delightful amount of mystery respecting
+these boxes, for each one of the six knew what had been done for the
+other five; Jessie telling her in confidence, and leaving her with
+the suspicion that the same pleasure was in store for her. Not on any
+account would any one of them have spoken of this suspicion; oh dear,
+no! but was quite prepared to be very much surprised if a box bearing
+her initial should turn up at the fair.
+
+Maggie and Bessie owned a pretty little pony, the gift of their Uncle
+Ruthven; at least Fred said it was "Uncle Ruthven's present," but Mr.
+Stanton said it was Fred's. For, having offered Fred the choice of a
+present for himself as a reward for the pains he had taken to break
+himself of some troublesome faults, the generous brother asked for a
+pony for his little sisters. He and his brother Harry each owned one,
+and he wished Maggie and Bessie to enjoy the same pleasure. So Uncle
+Ruthven had bought the pony and equipped him, but he declared it was
+Fred's gift to the little girls, and I think he was about right.
+
+However that was, the pony had given no small amount of pleasure, and
+this was still farther increased when Belle's papa gave her one.
+
+It was a pretty sight to see two of the little girls on these ponies,
+escorted by Harry and Fred, and the whole party under the care of
+one of the papas, or Uncle Ruthven, or sometimes of old James, the
+coachman. Belle and Bessie rode as yet with a leading string to the
+pony's rein, but Maggie had grown to be a fearless little rider, and
+had no idea of being led. Lily would have been welcome to a ride now
+and then if she had chosen, but "the one thing in the world" which Lily
+feared was a horse, and she declined the most pressing offers of this
+nature.
+
+Now that the days were becoming so mild and pleasant, these rides took
+place quite frequently, and they were hardly looked forward to more
+eagerly by the children than they were by old Malcolm and Jessie, who
+delighted to see the little girls on horseback, and were always on the
+watch to meet them and receive a kind word.
+
+"I know who I think will have the best piece of work," said Lily,
+one day after school, when the little girls were discussing the
+arrangements for the fair as they prepared to go home.
+
+"Who?" asked Gracie quickly. "Maggie, I s'pose. You always think Maggie
+and Bessie do every thing better than anybody else."
+
+"Well, and so they do," answered Lily, unwilling to allow that her
+favorite playmates could be outdone in any thing by another,--"so they
+do; but it's not Maggie this time."
+
+"Who then?" asked Dora.
+
+"Nellie Ransom," said Lily. "Have you seen her mat?"
+
+No: none of the others had seen Nellie's mat; but now curiosity was all
+on tiptoe, and a general desire to see her work took possession of the
+class.
+
+"Bring all your works to-morrow, and let's see which is the best," said
+Lily.
+
+"Gracie's is, I know," said Hattie.
+
+"If you have not seen the others you _don't_ know," said Lily.
+
+Hattie whispered something to Gracie and laughed; but Gracie still wore
+the displeased look she had put on when Lily declared Nellie's work
+must be the best.
+
+For, during the whole of the last year, Gracie had been nourishing an
+intense and bitter jealousy of Nellie Ransom. As has been said before,
+Nellie was by no means as quick and brilliant a child as Gracie, but
+she was more persevering and industrious, and so made up for the lack
+of natural talent. She was the only child in the school who could keep
+up with Gracie in several studies, such as composition and arithmetic;
+and in all they learned these two generally stood in advance of the
+rest.
+
+And to outstrip Nellie, to be always the _first_, the _very first_ was
+Gracie's great ambition. She believed herself to be by far the wiser
+and cleverer of the two, but she was anxious that every one else
+should acknowledge it also.
+
+A year ago, when Miss Ashton's uncle had offered a prize for the best
+composition,--the occasion to which Mrs. Howard had referred when
+warning her little daughter against jealousy of Maggie Bradford,--the
+chances had seemed to lie between Maggie and herself; but to the
+astonishment of every one, Nellie's composition had proved the most
+deserving, and taken the much-coveted prize.
+
+Since that time Gracie's wish to excel Nellie in all things had known
+no bounds, and it is really to be feared that she was rejoiced at heart
+when her painstaking and industrious little schoolmate missed in her
+lessons, or failed in any work she undertook.
+
+So now the fear that Nellie's mat should prove to be more neatly worked
+than her own took complete possession of her, for it was not only the
+desire to be first, but the desire to outstrip Nellie especially, that
+filled her heart and made her envious and jealous.
+
+It was agreed that Nellie, Gracie, and Dora should each bring her mat
+to school the next morning, so as to compare their work and see which
+was likely to bring the highest price.
+
+Accordingly this was done, and the children all gathered early, anxious
+to decide on the respective merits of the three pieces of embroidery.
+
+All were well done, neatly and evenly worked; but there could be no
+doubt of it, even to Gracie's unwilling eyes,--Nellie Ransom's was
+somewhat the best. It was really astonishing for a child of her age.
+She was naturally handy with her needle, and had taken so much pains
+with this mat that it would have done credit to a much older person.
+The simple pattern was straight and even, and the stitches of the
+filling in lay in neat, regular rows, the worsted smooth and unfrayed,
+and not a speck or spot of any description to be seen upon the whole
+piece.
+
+Gracie's was very nearly a match for it; indeed, had the two pieces
+been looked at separately it might have seemed that there was nothing
+to choose between them; but laid side by side and closely compared,
+Nellie's would certainly bear off the palm.
+
+"Why, Nellie," said Dora, whose own work was by no means despicable,
+"how beautifully you have done it. I don't believe a grown-up lady
+could have worked it better. I know Mrs. Howard will say it's the best."
+
+Quiet Nellie colored and dimpled with pleasure. Praise was pleasant to
+her, as it is to all; but, although she would have been glad to have
+her work pronounced the best, it was with no overwhelming desire to
+outdo her companions. Nellie did her very best, but when another did
+better, she could be content with the feeling that it was not her own
+fault that she was excelled, and was ready to sympathize with her more
+fortunate classmate.
+
+"That will be priced ten dollars for certain and positive," said Lily,
+holding up the mat and regarding it with admiration. "It is lovely,
+Nellie. They are all very nice, 'specially Gracie's, but yours is the
+best."
+
+"It's not a bit better than Gracie's," said Hattie.
+
+"Don't you encourage Gracie more than she deserves," said Lily
+admonishingly. "She's pretty nice, but don't you puff her up too much."
+
+"I know something about you," said Hattie teasingly.
+
+"Well, know away," answered Lily scornfully. "You're always knowing
+something about somebody; and you want me to ask you what you know
+about me; but I don't want to know, and I'm not going to have you say
+some of the girls said hateful things of me. Besides--oh! I forgot; I
+b'lieve I was rather _anti-politing_;" and Lily, who was about to say
+that Hattie always made things seem worse than they were, put a check
+upon her saucy little tongue and turned once more to Nellie.
+
+One might have thought that Lily had worked the mat herself to see her
+pride and satisfaction in it.
+
+"Dora has done more on hers than Nellie and Gracie," said Belle.
+"Their two are pretty nearly the same. Let's see; Gracie has only
+two more rows done than Nellie; no, Nellie has two more done than
+Gracie--oh!--why--this is Gracie's, isn't it? I can hardly tell them
+apart, they are both so very nice."
+
+For, handing the mats about from one to another, the same mistake
+occurred more than once, Gracie's being taken for Nellie's or Nellie's
+for Gracie's, and they had to be held side by side before they could
+be distinguished. The children laughed and thought this rather funny;
+and it gave Gracie some hope that hers might be judged to be the best,
+after all. She would take more pains than ever.
+
+The thought of the mats and of outdoing Nellie was so busy with her
+that she did not give her usual attention to her lessons that morning;
+and, as the consequence, lost her place in the spelling-class, and was
+in a peevish humor for the rest of the day.
+
+Fresh cause of displeasure befell her at the close of school, when
+Miss Ashton said she thought it as well that the May Queen should be
+chosen soon.
+
+"Oh! we want Maggie, of course," said Lily.
+
+"Maggie again?" said Miss Ashton, smiling.
+
+"Yes'm," said Belle. "Maggie is used to it, and she makes the prettiest
+queen, so we'd rather have her; wouldn't we, girls?"
+
+There was a general murmur of assent, save from two voices.
+
+"Why don't we make some one else May Queen this year?" asked Hattie.
+"We might have Gracie."
+
+"Hattie," said Lily, endeavoring to make her voice of reproof one of
+extreme mildness, "as you have not been so very long in the school, it
+would be better if you let the old inhabitants be the judges."
+
+"Well, anyhow, I don't see why Maggie always has to be May Queen, and
+when she don't go to the school either," said Gracie pouting, and
+leaning back against her desk with a discontented air, till, catching
+Miss Ashton's eye fixed sadly and reproachfully upon her, she hung her
+head and looked ashamed.
+
+"Be-cause," said Lily with emphasis, "she's the prettiest child of our
+acquaintance. Not all the prettiness of all the rest of us make up
+one-half Maggie's prettiness, and she's not one bit vain or stuck-up
+about it either; and if she and Bessie don't just belong to the school,
+they belong to us, and so it's just the same. Whoever wants Maggie,
+hold up their hand."
+
+Up went every hand at once, save those of Gracie and Hattie, and
+presently Gracie's followed the example of the others, though half
+unwillingly.
+
+"Now," said Lily triumphantly, "that's voted, and for ever after let
+him hold his peace."
+
+The last allusion was perhaps not exactly clear either to Lily or her
+hearers; but it was thought extremely fine, and as having clinched the
+matter without farther argument. Miss Ashton laughed, and asked if Lily
+and Belle would undertake to let Maggie know that she was elected May
+Queen, which they readily promised to do.
+
+But the next morning these two little friends returned to school,
+and told their astonished and disappointed classmates that Maggie
+positively refused to be May Queen. Why they could not say, but
+all their persuasions had proved of no avail. Maggie was not to be
+"coaxed," and would give no reason for her refusal, though she had
+"seemed to feel awfully about it," Lily said, and had "cried about it"
+before they left. Bessie had been as much mystified as they were, and
+even Maggie's mamma, when appealed to, said that she knew of no reason
+why Maggie should decline the offered honor. Maggie, however, had said
+she would "tell mamma and Bessie," but she could tell no one else.
+
+Miss Ashton, when informed of Maggie's refusal, said that she would
+call on her and see what could be done, and until then the matter might
+rest.
+
+"Hattie," said Gracie, drawing her "intimate friend" into a corner
+during recess, "did you tell Maggie Bradford what I said about her
+being Queen twice?"
+
+"Well--no," said Hattie, hesitating at first, but then uttering her
+denial boldly as she saw the frown gathering upon Gracie's brow.
+
+Gracie looked at her as if she only half believed her, for she was
+learning to doubt Hattie's word, and although she was greedy of her
+flattery, she could not help feeling that her chosen friend was not
+sincere.
+
+"You know you've told a good many things I did not mean you to," said
+Gracie, "and I wouldn't like not to be friends with Maggie, or to let
+her think I'm hateful."
+
+And Hattie declared over and over again that she had never said one
+word to Maggie on the subject.
+
+"I do feel badly about it," said Gracie remorsefully. "I wish I had
+never said I thought Maggie ought not to be May Queen. Maggie's been my
+friend this ever so long, since I was quite little; and I believe I
+had rather the girls chose her. I've a good mind to write her a note,
+and tell her I wish she would be Queen."
+
+All the other children had left the school-room to go down and play on
+the piazza, and Gracie and Hattie were alone together.
+
+"I wouldn't," said Hattie; "you are the one who ought to be May Queen,
+'cause you are the smartest child in the school."
+
+Gracie believed this, and thought Hattie gave her no more than her due;
+still, although she liked to hear Hattie say it, the compliment did not
+turn her from her purpose.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+VII.
+
+_A MISFORTUNE._
+
+
+As the two children talked, Gracie had been putting a few stitches in
+her mat.
+
+"I b'lieve I'll do it," she said. "I'll tell Maggie we _all_ want her
+to be May Queen."
+
+"Then she'll know you've said something about it," said Hattie
+anxiously, feeling that this proceeding was likely to bring her into
+trouble.
+
+"No, she needn't," said Gracie; "perhaps she does think I don't want
+her to be, 'cause at Christmas she knew I was mad about it."
+
+"Are you going to beg her pardon?" asked Hattie.
+
+"No," said Gracie, with one of her scornful tosses of her head. "I
+think I see myself doing such a thing! But I can write her a little
+note, and tell her we are all sorry because she won't be May Queen, and
+beg her to change her mind. I might do as much as that for Maggie," she
+added to herself.
+
+Hattie tried to dissuade her no longer, and Gracie laid the mat down
+upon her desk, opened the lid, and took out a slip of paper and a pen.
+She dipped the pen in the ink, wrote, "My dear Maggie," at the top of
+the sheet, and then paused, biting the top of her pen.
+
+"I can't think what to say, or how to begin it," she said. "My dear
+Maggie, I am very sorry--no. I had better say _we_--we are very sorry
+that you--that you--oh, pshaw! I've a great mind not to do it"--here
+she dipped her pen in the ink again, and so carelessly that it came
+forth quite too full. "Oh, bother!" she exclaimed with increasing
+ill-humor; "look at this hateful pen;" and, forgetting the precious
+piece of work which lay so near at hand, she gave a careless fillip to
+the pen which spattered forth the ink.
+
+Gracie gave another impatient exclamation, and pushed away the paper,
+saying,--
+
+"I shan't do it; if Maggie likes to be so foolish about nothing, she
+just can;" but she did not see the extent of the mischief she had done
+till Hattie said in a tone of great dismay,--
+
+"O Gracie! just see what you've done!"
+
+And there upon her beautiful mat was a great spot of ink.
+
+Gracie gave a horrified little cry, and, snatching up the mat,
+thoughtlessly sopped up the spot with her handkerchief, thereby
+spreading and smearing it till it grew to the size of a two-cent piece,
+and left an ugly blotch on the bright blue worsted.
+
+"What shall I do? oh! what shall I do? It's spoiled; it's quite
+spoiled!" she said despairingly.
+
+"I don't believe it is; maybe it can be taken out," said Hattie, though
+she was almost as much startled as her little companion. "I'll bring
+some water, and we'll try to take it out."
+
+"No, no," said Gracie; "I wish I had not touched it at all. We'll only
+make it worse; and I'll ask mamma to try as soon as I go home. Oh,
+dear, dear, dear! what shall I do? Grandmamma will surely say Nellie's
+is the best now. That hateful girl!"
+
+"It's a great shame if she does," said Hattie. "Nellie is always trying
+to get ahead of you; and she don't deserve it, and I don't think your
+grandmamma is fair to you. She ought to think her own grandchild's work
+is the best."
+
+"I suppose Nellie will just be glad when she sees what has happened to
+me," said Gracie, whose jealous eyes could now see nothing that was
+good or fair in Nellie's conduct.
+
+Innocent, kind-hearted Nellie, who would not willingly harbor an unkind
+or unjust thought of another!
+
+"I shan't let her see it," she continued, hastily rolling up the mat
+and putting it into her desk, as she heard the other children coming.
+"Don't say a word about it, Hattie, not to any one."
+
+Hattie promised, really grieving herself for Gracie's misfortune, for
+she truly loved her, and was anxious that she should be the first.
+
+This was to be a black day for Gracie; but all through her own jealousy
+and pride.
+
+Her mind was so taken up with the remembrance of the defaced mat that
+she could not keep her thoughts upon her lessons; and, although she had
+known her history very well, her attention wandered so much that she
+answered incorrectly more than once.
+
+Seeing, however, that something had disturbed her, Miss Ashton made
+allowances, and gave her one or two opportunities to correct herself
+and bring her thoughts back to the task before her.
+
+But it was all in vain; Gracie had already lost her place in the
+spelling-class, and gone down below Dora Johnson and Laura Middleton;
+and now the fear of a fresh mortification, and of giving Nellie her
+place at the head of the history class added to her confusion, and she
+floundered more and more hopelessly. Nellie begged too that she might
+have still another chance, when at last Miss Ashton passed the question
+to her; but again Gracie failed and was obliged to yield her place.
+
+Angry, mortified, and jealous, Gracie showed such determined ill-temper
+towards her generous little classmate, that Miss Ashton was obliged to
+reprove her, but without effect.
+
+Again she called Gracie to order, and this time more severely.
+
+The angry and wilful child hesitated for one moment, then pride and
+passion burst all bounds, and she answered Miss Ashton with such
+insolence, such ungoverned and unjustifiable impertinence that the
+whole class stood aghast.
+
+There was a moment's perfect stillness. Miss Ashton turned very pale,
+and laying her book down upon the table, covered her face with her
+hand, while the children looked from her to Gracie and back again, in
+utter dismay and astonishment.
+
+Then the stillness was broken by a piteous, "Oh, dear!" from poor
+little Belle, who finished with a burst of tears, and her example was
+followed by more than one of the others.
+
+Miss Ashton raised her head.
+
+"Go into the cloak-room, Grace," she said quietly.
+
+Gracie was herself frightened at what she had done; but her pride
+and temper were still farther roused by the shocked and disapproving
+looks of her schoolmates, and she stood for an instant with determined
+stubbornness, while the words, "I won't," formed themselves upon her
+lips.
+
+But they were not uttered, for there was something in Miss Ashton's
+face which checked her; something which not one of the little flock had
+ever seen before; and when the lady repeated her words in the same calm
+tone,--
+
+"Go into the cloak-room," Gracie turned away and obeyed.
+
+It was with head held high, and scornful look, however, that she passed
+out, although bitter shame and regret were burning in the poor, foolish
+little heart. But she called up all her pride and jealousy to stifle
+the better feeling which urged her to run to her teacher, and, in the
+face of the whole school, confess her fault, and beg Miss Ashton's
+pardon for the insulting words she had spoken.
+
+"What will she do, I wonder," she said to herself; "will she tell
+mamma? What will mamma say, and papa too?" and, as the recollection of
+her parents' oft-repeated warnings against the pride and vanity which
+were her besetting sins came back to her mind, she could not but feel
+that this was the consequence of allowing them to gain such a hold upon
+her.
+
+She _felt_ it, for conscience would make itself heard; but she would
+not acknowledge it even to herself, and drowned the reproving whisper
+with such thoughts as,--
+
+"Well, then, why is Miss Ashton so unjust? She is always trying to make
+me miss and lose my place. She is always glad when any one goes above
+me. She never praises me as much as I deserve;" and such unjust and
+untrue accusations.
+
+It might be that Miss Ashton did not always bestow upon Gracie all the
+praise she would have given to another for a perfect lesson or good
+composition, for she did not think much praise good for her, as it only
+seemed to minister to Gracie's over-weening vanity. But only eyes that
+were wilfully blind and suspicious could find the slightest injustice
+or unkindness in her treatment of any one of her little scholars, and
+her gentleness and patience might have won gratitude from the most
+stubborn young heart.
+
+But Gracie would not listen to the promptings of her better spirit; and
+the recollection of the dismayed and averted looks of her schoolmates
+added fuel to the flame of her angry pride. Even the ever admiring
+Hattie had looked shocked at her outburst.
+
+"I don't care," she said again to herself. "It's only 'cause they know
+I am so much cleverer than any of them, and they are jealous of me.
+That hateful Nellie! She was so proud to go above me."
+
+Wretched and unhappy, she spent the time in her solitude till the close
+of school, when the other children came into the cloak-room for their
+hats.
+
+No one said a word to her, for they had been forbidden to do so; and
+if they had occasion to speak to one another they did so in whispers,
+as if something terrible had happened, and a great awe had fallen upon
+them. She sat in a corner, sullen and defiant, trying to put on an
+appearance of the utmost indifference, but succeeding very poorly. She
+even tried to hum a tune, but something rose in her throat and choked
+her. She scarcely knew what to do; whether or no to rise, and take her
+hat, and go down as usual to find the nurse, who was probably waiting
+for her below; and while she sat hesitating, one and another of her
+young companions passed out, as if glad to hurry from her presence, and
+she was left once more alone.
+
+She had just taken down her hat, when Miss Ashton came in, and, handing
+her a note, said gravely,--
+
+"Give this to your mother, Gracie," and left her again.
+
+Ashamed and alarmed at the thought of what might follow when she should
+reach home, but with her pride and anger not one whit abated, Gracie
+went slowly on, giving short and snappish answers to the inquiries of
+her nurse, who plainly saw that something was wrong.
+
+But she dared not face her mother when she should hear of her
+misconduct; and when they entered the house, she thrust the note into
+the hand of the maid, bidding her give it to Mrs. Howard, and ran
+quickly up to her own little room.
+
+There she stayed, wondering and waiting. Five, ten, fifteen, twenty
+minutes, half an hour passed away, and still her mamma did not come.
+
+Was it possible? could she really hope that the note had not been one
+of complaint of her conduct?
+
+No, that could never be; there was the bell for the children's early
+dinner. Well, she would go down and act as if nothing had happened. But
+could she with this uncertainty of how much or how little mamma knew?
+
+But there was mamma's step, and now Mrs. Howard entered the room. One
+half glance at her face and Gracie's eyes fell. It was enough to show
+her that her mother knew all.
+
+"Mean old thing!" she said to herself, meaning Miss Ashton. "She's gone
+and told, and now I s'pose I'll be punished."
+
+"Gracie," said her mother, "I suppose you scarcely need to be told what
+is in this note which Miss Ashton has sent me."
+
+Gracie stood with head erect, pouting lip, and defiant eyes, idly
+tossing back and forth the tassel of the window curtain with as much
+indifference as she could assume.
+
+"Has it come to this, my child," continued Mrs. Howard sorrowfully,
+"that you have allowed conceit and self-will to gain such a hold upon
+you, that you could wilfully and deliberately insult your teacher? I
+have been sure that you would fall into trouble, Gracie, for I knew
+that such foolish pride must sooner or later have a fall, but I could
+not have believed that you would be guilty of this. What did you say to
+Miss Ashton?"
+
+"I don't care," said Gracie passionately, without directly answering
+her mother's question. "It was all true, every word of it. She's as
+hateful as she can be, and unjust and mean;" and Gracie went on,
+pouring forth a torrent of invective and reproach against Miss Ashton
+and Nellie Ransom, without paying the slightest heed to her mother's
+commands to be silent. It was the long pent-up feeling of jealousy and
+ill-will and pride, that she had been nourishing for months past, and
+which now burst all bounds and swept every thing before it.
+
+Respect, and even obedience towards her mother, reason, justice,
+and truth itself were totally lost sight of, as she poured forth
+accusation after accusation against the offenders, and upheld her own
+conduct in all she had done and said.
+
+"And you have said all this to Miss Ashton, perhaps?" said her mother
+sternly, when the angry child at last came to a pause.
+
+"It is true enough if I did," muttered Gracie again, though her passion
+was by this time beginning to cool down in a measure. "I'm sure I wish
+I never went to her hateful old school."
+
+"It is more than probable that Miss Ashton wishes so now; but I
+shall leave you to think over what you have said to me and to Miss
+Ashton, and to find out how much of it is true. One thing Miss Ashton
+desires,--that you do not return to her school till you are ready to
+acknowledge your fault, and to apologize for your impertinence. And
+until this is the case, you must remain in your room. Your meals will
+be sent to you, and I shall not allow your brothers and sisters to have
+any intercourse with you till you are ready to make such amends as
+you can. You may send for me when you have any thing to say to me. Oh,
+Gracie, Gracie!"
+
+With which words, spoken in a sad, despondent tone, Mrs. Howard went
+away, closing the door upon her stubborn, rebellious little daughter.
+
+Gracie stood where her mother had left her, not one whit softened or
+humbled; for now her angry pride began to accuse her mother also of
+injustice and partiality and unkindness.
+
+"Everybody in the world takes part against me," she said to herself;
+"but I don't care. Indeed, I won't beg Miss Ashton's pardon, not if I
+stay here a year. Mamma makes such a fuss about her being so kind and
+patient and all that. She's paid for teaching me, so it's nothing so
+wonderfully good. I hope I never will go back to the school where that
+hateful Nellie is."
+
+Soon the door opened, and the nurse appeared, bearing a tray on which
+was Gracie's dinner. She set it upon a table, placed a chair, and went
+away without a word to her.
+
+"I don't care," said Gracie once more, "no one need talk to me if they
+don't want to. I'm just as good as they are, and I'd just as lief stay
+here by myself."
+
+She sat down before the dinner-tray, trying to believe that she would
+"just as lief eat her dinner alone;" but she found it was not so
+agreeable after all. She wondered what they were doing downstairs; if
+the children were chattering as merrily as usual, or if her absence
+made any difference in the family enjoyment. She had little appetite,
+as may be supposed, and left the nicely served meal scarcely touched.
+
+But it must not be thought that she had any idea of yielding or
+acknowledging herself in the wrong. By and by she heard her brothers
+and sisters coming upstairs, then their voices in the nursery as they
+prattled to one another; and she knew that they were being made ready
+for their afternoon airing. Then tiny feet pattered along the hall,
+and little May's voice sounded through her closed door,--
+
+"Am oo dood now, Dacie? We'm doin out, Dacie; am oo most dood? Pease
+don't be naughty dirl, Dacie," and the soft little hand tapped upon the
+panel as the baby voice pleaded.
+
+"Come away, darling. Gracie may come out when she is good and says she
+is sorry," said mamma's voice; and Gracie knew that her mother had led
+the little pet away.
+
+But all this only seemed to harden her. May was such a darling, the
+sweetest and dearest of all her brothers and sisters, Gracie thought;
+and, although the sweet, coaxing voice had touched her, she only found
+in her mother's interference fresh cause of offence.
+
+"Mamma tries to set even May against me, and I s'pose she's been
+telling all the children what I did," she thought; "but I don't care.
+I believe they'll grow tired of having me away before I am tired of
+staying here. There's plenty for me to do. I can read, and I'll work on
+my mat."
+
+But here it suddenly flashed upon her that she had not brought her mat
+home with her. Being sent away in disgrace and not returning to the
+school-room before leaving, she had quite forgotten it, and it still
+lay there in her desk. And that stain upon it, too, which she had
+intended to ask her mother to take out if possible. Mamma would not
+feel like doing it for her now, and she could ask no favors from her.
+Not unless she repented and--and--apologized to Miss Ashton. And this
+last she would not do; no, never, never.
+
+She heard the children going downstairs, stood at the window and
+watched them get into the carriage and drive away with mamma, and began
+to wish that she were there too. And such a lovely afternoon, it was
+too bad to be shut up here. But still she never blamed herself for her
+imprisonment; no, mamma, Miss Ashton, Nellie, any one was in the wrong,
+but not her own wilful, stubborn little self. What was to be the end of
+this she did not know, but Gracie had no thought of yielding.
+
+She whiled away the afternoon as she best could; but every thing seemed
+to have lost its zest. Her prettiest story-books had no interest;
+her dolls were "stupid" and poor company; even her stock of pretty
+materials for articles for the fair seemed less attractive than usual
+as she turned them over, and her work "would not go."
+
+This was the first time in her life that Gracie had ever been punished
+in such a manner; and apart from the disgrace, which she was determined
+not to feel, she was a child who was fond of society and did not know
+how to bear being deprived of it.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+VIII.
+
+"_THE SPIDER AND THE FLY._"
+
+
+If Mrs. Howard had perhaps hoped that little May's pleading would have
+any softening effect on Gracie, she was mistaken. The message she had
+expected to receive on reaching home did not come to her. Nor did she
+hear a word from Gracie through the evening until the little girl's
+bed-time came. Then she sent word that the hour had come, still hoping
+and believing that the stubborn heart must relent, and that Gracie
+would feel that she could not go to rest unforgiven and without her
+mother's good-night kiss. But she was mistaken. Gracie received the
+message in sullen silence, but obeyed and went to bed without one word
+of sorrow or repentance.
+
+It was the same in the morning. Gracie rose and was dressed; her
+breakfast was brought and eaten in solitude, as her dinner and supper
+had been yesterday; and still the nurse who waited upon her passed
+in and out, as it was necessary, and brought no word to comfort the
+sorrowing heart of her mother.
+
+School-time came, and Gracie knew that the children in her class would
+believe that her absence was caused by her misconduct of the previous
+day, as was indeed too true; but this only made her feel more and more
+proud and obstinate.
+
+The long, weary morning wore away, the solitary dinner was once more
+over, and again the house seemed so still and lonely, for mamma and the
+children had gone out again, and the servants were all downstairs.
+
+By and by Gracie heard a light, quick foot running up the stairs and
+coming towards her own door. The latch was turned and the door softly
+opened,--Mrs. Howard had not locked her in, for she believed that she
+could trust Gracie and that she would not disobey so far as to leave
+the room she had been bidden to keep,--and Hattie's face peeped in.
+
+Gracie started, partly in astonishment, partly in dismay; for what must
+she do now? Mamma would not have allowed her to see Hattie, she knew,
+if she had been at home; and must she send her away? She was so glad to
+see some one, to be able to speak to some one.
+
+Hattie came in, closed the door behind her, and, running to Gracie, put
+her arm about her neck and kissed her, saying with much energy,--
+
+"It's too mean, Gracie! it's the meanest thing I ever knew! It's a
+great shame!"
+
+There could be no doubt of her sympathy, of her belief that Gracie was
+in the right, or at least that she was not so very much to blame, and
+was undeservedly punished. For Hattie was really and truly very fond
+of Gracie, admired her and considered her very clever; and, although
+even she had been dismayed by Gracie's outburst yesterday, she was now
+disposed to treat it lightly, and to say that Gracie had been provoked.
+There was another reason, too, which induced Hattie to take part
+against Nellie Ransom, and to wish to put her in the wrong.
+
+"O Hattie!" said Gracie, "how did you come up here? Mamma wouldn't
+allow it, I know."
+
+Hattie laughed triumphantly.
+
+"I knew that," she said, "for I came to the door a little while ago and
+the servant said you were up in your room, but he thought you could
+not see any one to-day, and he said every one else was out. But I said
+I had a message from school for you, and that you must have it this
+afternoon. So of course he thought it was from Miss Ashton, as I meant
+he should, and he let me come up."
+
+"Mamma will be displeased," said Gracie; "you ought not, Hattie. I'm
+very glad to see you, but I must not let you stay."
+
+"I'll only stay a few minutes," said Hattie, taking the seat which
+Gracie had not ventured to offer her. "I've something perfectly
+splendid to tell you."
+
+"Was everybody saying ugly things about me to-day, and talking as if
+I was as wicked as a murderer?" asked Gracie, more interested in the
+opinion others might hold of her than in Hattie's promised news.
+
+There had really been very little said on the matter; the offence was
+too serious and too shocking to Gracie's young companions to make it an
+agreeable subject of conversation; and, although there had been some
+wondering as to whether Gracie would ever be allowed to return to the
+school, but few unkind remarks had been made, and these were more in
+sorrow than in censure.
+
+And Hattie was too full of her errand and of the fear of being found on
+forbidden ground to make as good a story of that little as she might
+have chosen to do at another time.
+
+"Well, no, not much," she answered. "I suppose that old Nellie,
+hateful thing, was glad enough."
+
+"Did she say so?" questioned Gracie.
+
+"No," said Hattie; "she did not speak about it. Gracie, did Miss Ashton
+send word to your mother and ask her to punish you?"
+
+"She wrote to her about it, and I suppose mamma punished me of her own
+accord," answered Gracie.
+
+"How long is she going to keep you up here?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Till--till--I beg Miss Ashton's pardon," said Gracie, her angry pride
+rising again at the thought; "and I _never_ will do it, no, _never_,
+not if I stay here a year!"
+
+"But the fair," said Hattie; "you know the fair is in two weeks, and if
+you don't come out before that you'll miss all the fun."
+
+Now, apart from the interest which all the little girls took in the
+fair, Gracie had a strong desire, as usual, to play some very prominent
+part therein. As we know, she had wished to be Queen, and had been
+vexed because Maggie Bradford had been chosen again; but, although she
+could not have this coveted honor, she still hoped and intended to make
+herself very conspicuous there.
+
+It was true that the thought of the fair and all that concerned it had
+been much in her mind, even during her imprisonment; but it had not
+occurred to her that her resolution of never, never apologizing to Miss
+Ashton, "even if she stayed shut up for a whole year," would scarcely
+agree with her appearance at the festival.
+
+She sat as if confounded at Hattie's words.
+
+"I'd do it if I were you," continued the latter, seeing the effect she
+had produced. "It's a great shame that you have to, but then you _will_
+have to, you know; and I'd do it and have it over. If you're going to
+fret and fuss here about it, you'll feel a great deal worse at last
+when you come to do it."
+
+Hattie's advice on this subject was certainly good in itself, though
+she did not put it before Gracie in a right light.
+
+"Miss Ashton is so unjust and so awfully partial to Nellie," pouted
+Gracie, although her resolution was beginning to waver a little for the
+first time.
+
+"I know it," said Hattie; "but she can't make other people think Nellie
+is the smartest child. Every one knows you are, Gracie, even if they
+won't say so."
+
+"I can learn three lessons while Nellie learns one; but Miss Ashton is
+always praising her and never praises me," was Gracie's answer.
+
+"I know it," said Hattie again. "Nellie--oh, I can't bear that
+girl!--sets up to be so wonderfully good, and Miss Ashton always
+believes whatever she says, and makes such a fuss about her; but you
+can just _say_ you beg Miss Ashton's pardon, and have it over. The rest
+of the class will have every thing their own way if you don't come out
+pretty soon and have your word about the fair; and there's your mat,
+too, you know, Gracie."
+
+"I forgot my mat yesterday when I came away," said Gracie. "I wish you
+had known it and then you could have brought it to me."
+
+Again Hattie gave a triumphant little laugh, and putting her hand into
+her pocket drew out the mat,--that is, _a_ mat.
+
+Gracie seized it eagerly, gave Hattie a kiss, saying, "Oh, you dear
+thing! I'm so glad."
+
+Then she looked for the stain, but there was no stain to be seen.
+
+"Where's that ink-spot? Oh, Hattie, did you take it out? There's not a
+sign of it."
+
+"No," said Hattie, "I did not take it out."
+
+"Why!" exclaimed Gracie, turning the mat over. "Why, it is--it is--it's
+not mine. It's Nellie's mat!"
+
+"I'm going to tell you," said Hattie. "This morning Miss Ashton handed
+me your history, which I believe you left in the cloak-room yesterday,
+and told me to put it in your desk. So when I opened the desk, the
+first thing I saw was the mat, and I knew you must have forgotten it.
+Nellie, the mean thing, she had brought her mat to school to-day again,
+and said she was going to work on it in recess; but when recess came
+the other children coaxed her to go out in the garden 'cause it was
+so pleasant, and she went. So while they were all down there, I saw
+the way to play Miss Nellie a good trick and to help you, dear; and I
+ran up to the school-room, changed Nellie's mat for yours, put hers
+back just as she had left it, and she'll never know the difference and
+think that somehow that ink-spot has come on her mat. And do you know,
+Gracie, it was the most fortunate thing that Nellie had just worked
+those two rows more that made her work even with yours; so she never
+can know. You remember yesterday we could scarcely tell them apart, and
+now they look almost exactly alike."
+
+"But what then?" said Gracie, almost frightened at the thought of
+Hattie's probable meaning.
+
+"Why, don't you see?" said Hattie, who told her story as if she thought
+she had done something very clever and praiseworthy; "you can just
+finish this mat as if it was your own, and need not bother yourself
+about the ink-stain."
+
+"But--but--Hattie--this one is Nellie's," said Gracie in a shocked
+voice.
+
+"What of that? we'll keep the secret, and no one will ever know but
+us two," said Hattie. "Nellie has the other one, and that's good
+enough for her. She has no right to expect the most money from your
+grandmamma. Take a great deal of pains with this, Gracie, and make the
+work look just like Nellie's."
+
+"But, I can't, I can't," said Gracie. "It seems to me almost
+like--stealing."
+
+"Stealing!" repeated Hattie. "I'd like to know who has been stealing! I
+only changed the mats, and you have the best right to the nicest one.
+I was not going to have Nellie get every thing away from you. She just
+thinks she's going to make herself the head of the school and beat you
+in every thing."
+
+Now as I have said, and as you will readily believe, there was more at
+the bottom of Hattie's desire to thwart Nellie than her wish to see
+Gracie stand first, although she was really very fond of the latter,
+and it was this.
+
+It had so happened that Nellie's rather blunt truthfulness and
+clear-sighted honesty had more than once detected Hattie's want of
+straightforwardness, and even defeated some object she had in view, and
+for this Hattie bore her a grudge. She was particularly displeased with
+her at the present time because of a reprimand from Miss Ashton which
+she chose to consider she owed to Nellie.
+
+Coming to school rather early one morning, a day or two since, Nellie
+found Belle Powers and Hattie there before her.
+
+Belle sat upon the lower step of the upper flight of stairs, in a
+state of utter woe, with the saddest of little faces, and wiping the
+tears from her eyes. Hattie, grasping the banister with one hand, was
+swinging herself back and forth, saying, "I wouldn't care if I were
+you. 'Tis nothing to cry about;" but she looked ashamed and rather
+caught when she saw Nellie coming up the stairs.
+
+"What is the matter, Belle?" asked Nellie, sitting down beside the
+school pet and darling, and putting her arm around her neck.
+
+"Fanny Leroy said things about me," sobbed Belle.
+
+"What things?" questioned Nellie with a searching look at Hattie.
+
+"She said I was so bad and spoiled I could hardly ever be good, even
+when I wanted to," answered Belle piteously; "and she said Miss Ashton
+had to be excusing me all the time for the naughty things I did in
+school. And I loved Fanny, and I wouldn't have said such bad things
+about her; and, oh, dear! I thought she loved me too. She came to
+Aunt Margaret's when I was there the day before she went away, to say
+good-bye to Maggie and Bessie and me; and she gave us each a nutmeg to
+remember her by and to keep for ever an' ever an' ever for a keepsake,
+and she kissed me ever so many times. And all the time she had been
+saying bad things about me, and so I'm going to throw away the nutmeg,
+'cause I don't want a keepsake of a girl who made b'lieve she liked me
+when she didn't."
+
+"I don't believe it," said Nellie with far more energy than was usual
+with her, and still regarding Hattie with searching looks.
+
+"But Hattie says she did," repeated Belle.
+
+Hattie's _saying_ a thing made it by no means sure in Nellie's
+eyes, and although she was not apt to interfere or meddle where she
+had no right to do so, she would not let this pass without further
+questioning. She was fond of the absent Fanny and loved Belle dearly;
+and believing that both were now wronged, she set herself to right them
+if possible.
+
+"I don't believe it," she said again.
+
+"Well, you just can believe it," said Hattie resentfully. "Don't I know
+what Fanny said to me? It's nothing to make such a fuss about, anyhow."
+
+"Belle has very easily hurt feelings," said Nellie; "and besides, it
+_is_ something to make a fuss about. And Fanny hardly ever would say
+unkind things of other people; the girls used to think she was 'most
+too particular about it. And, Hattie Leroy, I don't believe she ever
+said such things about Belle; anyhow, not in that way."
+
+"She did, too, I tell you," persisted Hattie, secure in Fanny's
+absence, and determined not to acknowledge that she had misrepresented
+her innocent words, from the mere love of talking and exaggeration,
+too; for she had not intended to hurt Belle so much, and was now really
+sorry to see her so grieved. "She did, too, I tell you. How do you know
+what Fanny said to me?"
+
+"I don't know what she did say, but I am sure she never said that,"
+repeated Nellie.
+
+Both little girls had raised their voices as they contradicted one
+another, and as the tones of neither were very amicable by this time,
+they drew the attention of Miss Ashton.
+
+"What is this, my little girls; what is the trouble?" she asked, coming
+up the stairs to them; then, seeing Belle's still distressed and
+tear-stained face she inquired, "Belle, darling, what is wrong?"
+
+Nellie and Hattie were both rather abashed, especially the latter,
+who knew herself to be in the wrong; but Belle answered, "Hattie
+thinks Fanny Leroy said something, and Nellie thinks she didn't.
+I don't know," she added with a mournful shake of her head, "but
+somehow somebody must be rather 'deceitful and _despicably_ wicked.'"
+Desperately, Belle meant, and she quoted her words in no spirit of
+irreverence, but because she thought them suited to the, to her,
+solemnity of the occasion.
+
+Miss Ashton, too, feared that there was some deceitfulness, or at least
+exaggeration; and seeing that little Belle was in real trouble she
+questioned further, and Nellie told her what Hattie had said.
+
+This was not the first time, by any means, that Miss Ashton had known
+mischief to arise from Hattie's thoughtless way, to call it by no
+worse name, of repeating things; and she reproved her pretty sharply,
+telling her that such speeches were not at all like her gentle,
+amiable cousin Fanny, and she could not believe her guilty of them;
+and even had she said them she, Hattie, had no right to repeat them
+and make needless sorrow and trouble for Belle. Then she soothed Belle
+and encouraged her to think that Fanny had not so wronged her; and
+after school she kept Hattie for a few moments, and spoke to her very
+seriously but kindly on her idle, foolish habit of telling tales with
+exaggeration and untruthfulness.
+
+But Hattie, in repeating this, had said that "Miss Ashton kept her in
+and gave her an awful scolding just because she had said something that
+cry-baby Belle did not like, and Nellie went and told her and so put
+her in a scrape;" nor did she see that it had been her own blame in
+the first instance. And ever since she had been vexed with Nellie, and
+this added strength to her wish to have Gracie outstrip Nellie. It was
+not altogether this, let us do her justice, for she really loved Gracie
+better than any other child in the school, and was anxious to have her
+win for her own sake.
+
+But we must go back to these two little girls as they sat together in
+Gracie's room.
+
+"Yes, so she does," echoed Gracie; "and I suppose now Miss Ashton will
+take away my conduct marks, and being away to-day, I'll lose my place
+in all the classes too. Not that I could not get ahead of her again
+easily enough," she added contemptuously.
+
+"But she can't have the best mat now," said Hattie.
+
+"I don't see how I _could_ do that," said Gracie. "It is her's, you
+know, Hattie, and I can't, really I can't."
+
+"But you'll have to now," said Hattie. "You know Nellie has found the
+ink-spot on the other mat by this time, and there's no way to give her
+this one back."
+
+Yes, there was one way, but that did not enter Hattie's thoughts.
+
+"I couldn't," said Gracie again, shrinking at the idea of doing what
+she knew to be so dishonest and deceitful. "I must have my own mat,
+Hattie; but I do wish this was mine and the other Nellie's."
+
+"But we can't put it back now, and I took it for you," said Hattie
+complainingly. "Gracie, you must keep it now. I shall get into an awful
+scrape if you don't; and it's real mean of you."
+
+It would take too long to tell you of all the arguments and persuasions
+Hattie used. How she pleaded and reproached; how she insisted that
+there was no way of undoing what she had done; how she excited and
+increased Gracie's jealous pride and desire to outdo Nellie; and this
+last she found by far the most effectual argument.
+
+And--Gracie yielded. Persuading herself that she had the best right to
+receive the highest premium because her own grandmamma had offered it;
+putting from her the thought of the only way in which justice could now
+be done to Nellie, on the plea that Hattie would be disgraced, and she
+would be "too mean" to bring this upon her; rousing up all her own
+naughty and envious feelings against innocent Nellie, she gave way at
+last and fell before temptation. Fell into the very sin, or even worse,
+from which she felt herself so very secure,--deceit and theft, for it
+was no less.
+
+"Now I'll go, dear," said Hattie, jumping up as soon as Gracie had
+yielded, perhaps afraid that she might repent and insist that she could
+not keep the mat, "and no one but us two will ever know the secret.
+And, Gracie, make up your mind to ask Miss Ashton's pardon, so you
+won't lose all the fun."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+IX.
+
+_A GUILTY CONSCIENCE._
+
+
+If Gracie had been an unhappy and miserable child before, what was
+she now with all this load upon her conscience? For even pride and
+self-conceit could not attempt to justify such a deed. Jealousy had
+a good deal to say; and she tried to listen to that, and to believe
+also that she was not really to blame: she had been forced into it;
+she could not betray Hattie, who had done this from love to her. But
+she was more wretched than it would be easy to tell; and she was
+beginning to feel such a contempt for her chosen friend that this also
+was a sore spot in her heart. Day by day she was learning that there
+was nothing true or honorable or upright about Hattie. She hardly
+even seemed to think it much harm to tell a falsehood, or appeared
+ashamed when she was found out; and for some days she had had a growing
+feeling that it was not pleasant to have a friend with the character
+of a "story-teller," which Hattie now bore among her school-fellows.
+And Gracie; was she not just as bad, perhaps even worse? For Gracie
+had been taught all the value and beauty of truth, and had never till
+now wilfully fallen away from it; but she knew that the worth of that
+jewel was not much considered in Hattie's home, and so it had lost its
+preciousness in her eyes.
+
+Miss Ashton, too, knew this; and so she was less severe with Hattie
+than she might have been with another child who had a better example
+and more encouragement to do right in this particular.
+
+Lily, in her plain speaking, would probably have called Mr. and Mrs.
+Leroy by the same uncomplimentary name she had given to Mr. Raymond;
+for the same foolish system of management was carried on in their
+family. Probably they would have been much shocked to hear it said
+that they taught the lesson of deceit; but was it to be expected that
+Hattie could have much regard for the truth when she heard herself and
+her brothers and sisters threatened with punishments, which were not,
+perhaps could not be carried out; when promises were made to them which
+were not kept; when they were frightened by tales of bears, wolves, and
+old black men, and such things which had no existence?
+
+"Willie, your mamma said she would send you to bed if you went there,"
+was said to little Willie Leroy one day.
+
+"Oh, I'm not afraid," answered Willie, contemptuously. "Mamma never
+does what she says;" and off he ran to the forbidden spot, his words
+proving quite true, although his mamma heard that he had disobeyed her
+so deliberately.
+
+"Is your mother going to make you something for the fair?" Hattie was
+asked by one of her schoolmates.
+
+"She says so; but I don't know if she will," was the answer.
+
+Hattie's was not the simple faith of "Mamma says so," so sweet in
+little children. Mamma might or might not do as she had said she would,
+according to the convenience of the moment.
+
+So it was no marvel that Hattie thought it no great harm to escape
+punishment or gain some fancied good by stretching the truth, or
+even telling a deliberate falsehood; or that, having a great love of
+talking, a story should outgrow its true dimensions in her hands;
+or that she did not see what was honest and upright as well as some
+children.
+
+But with Gracie Howard it was very different.
+
+Truth, and truth before all things, was the motto in her home, the
+lesson which from her babyhood had been taught to her by precept and
+by example; and the conscience which, in Hattie, was so easily put to
+sleep, would not let her rest. In vain did jealousy and ambition try to
+reconcile her to the act of dishonesty and meanness into which she had
+allowed herself to be drawn; in vain did she argue with herself that
+"it was all Hattie's fault;" she could not betray Hattie when she had
+done this just for her; or "there was no way of putting the mat back
+now; she could not help herself." Gracie sinned with her eyes open, and
+her conscience all alive to the wickedness of which she was guilty.
+
+But her stubborn pride was beginning to give way in one point; for she
+had no mind to "lose the fun of the fair," as Hattie said,--though even
+the fair had lost some of its attraction with this weight upon her
+conscience,--and she resolved to send for her mother, and tell her she
+would ask Miss Ashton's pardon.
+
+So when the long, weary afternoon had worn away, and Mrs. Howard came
+home, Gracie rang the bell, and sent a message begging her mother to
+come to her.
+
+Mamma came thankfully; but one look at her little daughter's face was
+enough to convince her that she was in no softened mood, in no gentle
+and humbled spirit. It was with a sullen and still half-defiant manner
+that Gracie offered to do what was required of her; and her mother
+saw that it was fear of farther punishment, and not real sorrow and
+repentance, which moved her.
+
+"I suppose I ought not to have spoken so, mamma," she answered, when
+her mother asked her if she did not see how very naughty she had been;
+"but Miss Ashton is so unjust, and Nellie provokes me so."
+
+"How is Miss Ashton unjust?" asked Mrs. Howard.
+
+Gracie fidgeted and pouted, knowing that her mother would not be
+willing to accept the charges she was ready to bring.
+
+"She's always praising Nellie for every thing she does, mamma; and in
+these days she never gives me one word of praise, even when every one
+has to see that I do the best. And--and--I b'lieve she tries to make
+me miss, so Nellie can go above me in the classes."
+
+"Gracie," said her mother, "you know that that last accusation is
+untrue. As for the first, if Miss Ashton is sparing of her praise, my
+daughter, it is because she knows it is hurtful to you. Nellie is a
+timid child, trying to do her best, but with little confidence in her
+own powers; and praise, while it encourages and helps her to persevere,
+does not make her vain or conceited. But Miss Ashton sees that that
+which is needful for Nellie is hurtful to you; for it only increases
+your foolish vanity and self-esteem, and it is for your own good that
+she gives you a smaller share. You have, unhappily, so good an opinion
+of yourself, Gracie, that praise not only makes you disagreeable, but
+disposes you to take less trouble to improve yourself. Let me hear
+no more of Miss Ashton's injustice. When you deserve it, or it does
+not hurt you, Miss Ashton is as ready to give praise to you as she
+is to another. You say you are willing to ask her pardon for your
+impertinence; but I fear that you do not really see your fault."
+
+"Are you not going to let me come out, then, mamma?"
+
+"Yes, since you promise to do as I say; but I fear you are in no proper
+spirit, Gracie, and that you will fall into further trouble unless you
+become more submissive and modest."
+
+"Hattie was here this afternoon, mamma," said Gracie, as she followed
+her mother from the room.
+
+"So I understood," said Mrs. Howard, who had been waiting for the
+confession, having been informed of the circumstance by the servant.
+
+"I left my mat in school yesterday," said Gracie, "and she thought I
+would want it, and came to bring it back."
+
+She spoke in a low tone and with downcast eyes; for Gracie was so
+unused to deceit that she could not carry it out boldly, as a more
+practised child might have done.
+
+Something in her manner struck her mother, who turned and looked at
+her.
+
+"Did Hattie bring you any message from Miss Ashton?" she asked.
+
+"No, mamma: she only came about the mat; and she begged me to ask Miss
+Ashton's pardon," answered Gracie with the same hesitation.
+
+But her mother only thought that the averted face and drooping look
+were due to the shame which she felt at meeting the rest of the family
+after her late punishment and disgrace.
+
+"I told Hattie you would not wish her to stay with me, mamma; but she
+would not go right away, but I would not let her stay very long."
+
+"I am glad you were so honest, dear," said Mrs Howard.
+
+Honest! Gracie knew how little she deserved such a character, and her
+mother's praise made her feel more guilty than ever.
+
+She was received with open arms by the other children; for Gracie was
+the eldest of the flock, and, in spite of her self-conceit, she was a
+kind little sister, and the younger ones quite shared her own opinion,
+thinking no child so good and wise as their Gracie. And they had missed
+her very much; so now they all treated her as if she had been ill or
+absent, and made much of her.
+
+But for once Gracie could not enjoy this, and it only seemed to make
+her feel more ashamed and guilty. What would mamma say, what would all
+say if they only knew?
+
+Mrs. Howard had told Gracie that she might either go to school early
+in the morning and make her apology to Miss Ashton before the other
+scholars came, or she might write to her this evening, and send the
+note to her teacher.
+
+Gracie had chosen to do the last; but when the younger children had
+gone to bed, and she tried to write the note, she found she could not
+bring her mind to it. Her conscience was so troubled, and her thoughts
+so full of her guilty secret, that the words she needed would not come
+to her; and as her mother saw her sitting with her elbows upon the
+table, biting the end of her pencil or scrawling idly over her blotter
+and seeming to make no progress at all, she believed, and with reason,
+that Gracie was not truly repentant for what she had done, and had
+only promised to beg Miss Ashton's pardon in order that she might be
+released from the imprisonment of which she had tired. Gracie was not
+usually at a loss for ideas or words where she had any thing to write.
+
+"I can't do it," she said pettishly at last, pushing paper and pencil
+from her. "I s'pose I'll have to go to Miss Ashton in the morning, and
+I b'lieve I'll go to bed now. Good-night, mamma."
+
+And Gracie went to her room, wishing to escape from her own thoughts,
+and bring this miserable day to a close as soon as possible.
+
+But the next morning it was no better; and now it seemed harder to go
+to Miss Ashton and speak than it would be to write. But it was too late
+now: she had no time to compose a note, "make it up" as she would have
+said, and to copy it before school, and she must abide by her choice
+of the previous night.
+
+She started early for school, according to her mother's desire, with
+many charges from her to remember how grievously she had offended Miss
+Ashton, and to put away pride and self-conceit and make her apology in
+a proper spirit.
+
+Had there not been that guilty secret fretting at Gracie's heart, she
+might have been induced to be more submissive; but, as it was, she felt
+so unhappy that it only increased her reluctance to make amends to Miss
+Ashton and acknowledge how wrong she had been.
+
+She asked for her teacher at once when she reached the house, anxious
+to "have it over;" and, when the young lady appeared, blurted out, "I
+beg your pardon, Miss Ashton."
+
+Miss Ashton sat down, and, taking Gracie's half-reluctant hand, drew
+her kindly towards her.
+
+"It is freely granted, my dear," she said. "And are you truly sorry,
+Gracie?"
+
+Gracie fidgeted and wriggled uneasily; but we who know what she had
+done can readily believe that it was more pride than a strict love of
+the truth which led her to say to herself that she was "not sorry," and
+"she could not tell a story by saying so."
+
+"I beg your pardon, ma'am, and I won't do so again," she repeated,
+seeing that Miss Ashton waited for her answer.
+
+Miss Ashton did not wish to force her to say that which she did not
+feel, and she saw that it was of no use to argue with her in her
+present stubborn mood; but she talked quietly and kindly to her,
+setting before her the folly and the wrong of the self-love and vanity
+which were ruling her conduct, and day by day spoiling all that was
+good and fair in her character.
+
+"See what trouble they have brought you into now, Gracie," she said;
+"and unless you check them in time, my child, they will lead you deeper
+into sin. I scarcely know you for the same little girl who first came
+to me, so much have these faults grown upon you; and they are fast
+destroying all the affection and confidence of your school-fellows.
+Why, Gracie, I have heard one little girl say that 'Gracie thought so
+much of herself that it sometimes made her forget to be very true.'"
+
+Gracie started. Was this the character her self-love was earning for
+her? she who desired to stand so high in all points with the world.
+
+Ah! but it was for the praise of man, and not for the honor and glory
+of God that Gracie strove to outshine all others; and she walked by her
+own strength, and the poor, weak prop must fail her and would lay her
+low.
+
+"Forget to be very true!"
+
+How far she had done this, even Miss Ashton did not dream; but it
+seemed to Gracie that she had chosen her words to give her the deepest
+thrust, and she bowed her head in shame and fear.
+
+But Miss Ashton, knowing nothing of what was passing in that guilty
+young heart, was glad to see this, and believed that her words were
+at last making some impression on Gracie, and that she was taking
+her counsel and reproof in a different spirit from that in which she
+generally received them.
+
+Strange to say, in all the miserable and remorseful thoughts which had
+made her wretched since yesterday afternoon, it had not once entered
+her mind how she was to face Nellie when the poor child should make
+known the misfortune which had befallen her.
+
+One by one the children came in, and how awkward Gracie felt in meeting
+them may readily be imagined by any one who has suffered from some
+similar and well-merited disgrace. Still she tried, as she whispered
+to Hattie she should do, to "behave as if nothing had happened;" and
+when little Belle, after looking at her wistfully for a moment as if
+undecided how to act, came up and kissed her, saying, "I'm glad to see
+you, Gracie," she answered rather ungraciously, "I'm sure it's not
+so very long since you saw me," and sent the dear little girl away
+feeling very much rebuffed.
+
+And yet she really felt Belle's innocent friendliness, and her sweet
+attempt to make her welcome and at her ease; but pride would not let
+her show it.
+
+Nellie was one of the last to arrive, and her troubled and woe-begone
+face startled Gracie and smote her to the heart.
+
+"Such a dreadful thing has happened to me," said Nellie, when she was
+questioned by the other children; and the tears started to her eyes
+afresh as she spoke.
+
+"What is it? What is it?" asked a number of eager voices.
+
+"I don't know how it can have happened," said Nellie, hardly able to
+speak for the sobs she vainly tried to keep back. "I have been so, so
+careful; but there is an ugly spot like ink or something on my mat.
+I can't think how it ever came there, for I put it in my desk very
+carefully when school began yesterday, and did not take it out till I
+got home, and I did not know there was any ink near it. But when I
+unrolled it last evening the stain was there, and mamma thinks it is
+ink, and she cannot get it out. And I've taken such pains to keep the
+mat clean and nice."
+
+And here poor Nellie's voice broke down entirely, while Gracie, feeling
+as if her self-command, too, must give way, opened her desk and put her
+head therein, with a horrible choking feeling in her throat.
+
+"We'll all tell Mrs. Howard it came somehow through not any fault of
+yours," said Lily. "Never mind, Nellie, yours is the best mat, anyhow:
+we all know it;" and Lily cast a defiant and provoking glance at
+Gracie, which was quite lost upon the latter.
+
+Lily had suggested on the day before, that when Gracie came back to
+school they should "all behave just as if nothing had happened," just
+what Gracie intended to do; but generous Lily had said it in quite a
+different spirit from that in which Gracie proposed it to herself.
+
+But Gracie's rebuff to Belle, and the seeming indifference with
+which she treated Nellie's misfortune, roused Lily's indignation once
+more; for she thought, as did many of the other children, that Gracie
+did not feel sorry for Nellie's trouble, since it gave her the greater
+chance of having her own work pronounced the best.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes, we will tell Mrs. Howard," said Dora Johnson: "yours was really
+the best mat of all, though Gracie's was almost as nice; and we will
+tell her something happened to it that you could not help, and perhaps
+she will not mind it."
+
+"Perhaps a vase standing on it would cover the spot," said Laura
+Middleton.
+
+Nellie shook her head.
+
+"No," she said, "that would not make it any better. Mrs. Howard said
+that the best and neatest mat must take the highest premium, and mine
+is not the neatest now. I wouldn't feel comfortable to do any thing
+that was not quite fair, even if you all said I might."
+
+"That was not quite fair!"
+
+More and more ashamed, and feeling how far behind Nellie left her in
+honesty and fairness, Gracie still sat fumbling in her desk, looking
+for nothing.
+
+"Well," said Dora, "we'll speak to Mrs. Howard about it, and see what
+she says: won't we, Gracie?"
+
+Gracie muttered something which might mean either yes or no.
+
+"Augh!" said Lily, "what do you talk to that proudy about it for? She
+don't care a bit. I b'lieve she's just glad and wouldn't help Nellie if
+she could."
+
+Gracie made no answer: she was too miserable for words or to think of
+answering Lily's taunts, and she would have given up all thought of
+having any thing to do with the fair to have had Nellie's mat safely in
+her possession once more. Oh, if she had never yielded to temptation or
+to Hattie's persuasions!
+
+"How you do act!" whispered Hattie to Gracie. "If you don't take care
+they will suspect something."
+
+"I can't help it," returned Gracie in the same tone: "it is such an
+awful story that we have told."
+
+"It is not a story," said Hattie; "we've neither of us said one word
+about the mat."
+
+This was a new view of the matter; but it brought no comfort to
+Gracie's conscience She knew that the acted deceit was as bad as the
+spoken one, perhaps in this case even worse.
+
+She felt as if she could not bear this any longer, as if she must
+tell, must confess what she had done; and yet--how? How could she
+lower herself so in the eyes of her schoolmates? she who had always
+held herself so high, been so scornful over the least meanness,
+equivocation, or approach to falsehood!
+
+A more wretched little girl than Gracie was that morning it would have
+been hard to find; but her teacher and schoolmates thought her want
+of spirit arose from the recollection of her late naughtiness and the
+feeling of shame, and took as little notice of it as possible.
+
+And Lily, repenting of her resentment when she saw how dull and
+miserable Gracie seemed, threw her arms about her neck as they were
+leaving school, and said, "Please forgive me my provokingness this
+morning, Gracie. I ought to be ashamed, and I am."
+
+But Gracie could not return, scarcely suffer, the caress, and dared not
+trust herself to speak, as she thought how furious Lily's indignation
+would be if she but knew the truth.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+X.
+
+_A GAME OF CHARACTERS._
+
+
+At home or at school, studying, working or playing--for the latter she
+had little heart now--Gracie could not shake off the weight that was
+upon her mind and spirits. Even her work for the fair had lost its
+interest; and as for the mat, Nellie's mat, she could not bear the
+sight of it. She went to sleep at night thinking of it, and trying to
+contrive some way out of her difficulty, though she would not listen to
+the voice of her conscience which whispered that there was but one way;
+and she woke in the morning with the feeling that something dreadful
+had happened. Appetite and spirits failed; she grew fretful and
+irritable, and her mother imagined that she must be ill, though Gracie
+resolutely persisted that there was nothing the matter with her, and
+that she felt quite well.
+
+"Gracie," said Mrs. Howard one morning after three or four days had
+passed, "it appears to me that you are not doing much on your mat. How
+is that?"
+
+"I don't care," answered Gracie, fretfully. "I don't believe I'll
+finish it. I'm tired of the old thing."
+
+"That will not do, my child," said her mother. "You have undertaken to
+do this for your grandmamma and for the fair, and I cannot have you
+stop it now without some good reason. Bring the mat to me."
+
+Gracie went for the mat very unwillingly, though she dared not refuse
+nor even show her reluctance.
+
+"It really does you credit," said Mrs. Howard, taking it from her
+hands: "it is so smooth and even, and you have kept it so neat. But
+you must be more industrious, dear, if you are to have it finished
+in time. And see, Gracie," she continued, looking at it more closely,
+"these last few lines look not _quite_ as nicely as the rest. There is
+a difference in the work, and you will have to take more pains than you
+have done here. It looks almost as if another person had worked it. You
+have not let any one help you with it, have you?"
+
+"No, mamma," replied Gracie in a low tone and with a frightened
+feeling. Was there really such a difference between her work and
+Nellie's that it was so easily detected?
+
+It had not occurred either to her or to Hattie, perhaps they did not
+know, that the work of two different hands seldom or never matches well
+upon embroidery in worsted, and that it is almost sure to be perceived.
+She was dismayed at the thought that her mother had noticed this, and
+now every stitch that she took seemed to make the difference more
+plain, take what pains she might.
+
+She began to feel angry and indignant at Hattie for leading her into
+this sin, shutting her eyes to the fact that, if she had not allowed
+proud and jealous thoughts to creep into her heart, temptation would
+not have had so much influence over her.
+
+She no longer took any pleasure in the society of her little friend,
+and shrank from her in a way that Hattie perceived, and by which she
+was hurt; for she was disposed in her own mind to throw all the blame
+upon Hattie, forgetting that she was really the most to blame, since
+she had been better taught, and saw more clearly the difference between
+right and wrong.
+
+As for Nellie, poor, innocent, injured Nellie, Gracie felt as if she
+could not bear the sight of her; and when she saw in what a gentle,
+patient spirit she took her great misfortune,--for so all the children
+considered it,--she grew more and more ashamed and lowered in her own
+sight. Pride and self-esteem could not now blind her to the fact that
+Nellie was better, far better, than herself.
+
+Meanwhile the change in Gracie was exciting the wonder of all, the
+pity of some, of her young friends and schoolmates. Only Hattie held
+the clew to it; and she was surprised that such "a trifle," as she
+considered it, should have such an effect upon Gracie and make her so
+unhappy.
+
+But Gracie was not a really bad or deceitful child, although she had
+suffered herself to be led so far astray. She was not naturally more
+unkind or selfish than most of us who have not the love and fear of
+God before us; indeed she was what children call "generous" in giving
+or sharing what she had, and she was always glad to do a helpful
+or obliging act for another. But she had always trusted to her own
+strength, and believed she could not fall, and now she was learning
+that her high thoughts of herself, and her carelessness of what she
+considered little faults, had made her an easy prey to temptation and
+the indulgence of a foolish pride and jealousy had led her into this
+great sin into which she had not imagined she could fall. But although
+she saw this now, she was not truly repentant; for she would not take
+the only right and true way to make amends; and spent her time wishing
+vain wishes, and trying to contrive some way out of her difficulty
+without bringing disgrace upon herself or losing her character for
+honor and truthfulness among her young companions. It troubled Gracie
+far less to think how she already stood in the eyes of God, than it did
+to imagine how she might appear in the sight of her earthly friends if
+this thing were known.
+
+There was a small children's party at Mrs. Bradford's. Gracie did not
+care to go; indeed she would much rather not have done so: but her
+mother had accepted for her, and she had no good excuse for staying
+away.
+
+She was more restless and miserable than usual that afternoon: she
+set up her opinion against that of all the rest, found fault with her
+playmates in every game that was begun, was more than usually sure that
+she knew every thing and could do better than any one else, and, not
+having her wits and thoughts about her, miserably failed in all the
+plays in which she meant to shine.
+
+"What shall we play now?" asked Bessie at length, when they had all
+tired of some romping game.
+
+"Let's take a little rest, and play 'Characters,'" said Gracie, who was
+very good in this, having no match among her present playmates save
+Maggie.
+
+"Well," said Maggie, willing to please her if possible, although she
+saw some objections to the game just now; "we'll play it; but it is
+rather hard for the younger ones, so we must take easy characters.
+Who'll go out?"
+
+"I will," said Lily; "but mind you do take an easy one. Somebody we
+know very well, not any history or jography character. I don't want to
+bother my head about lesson people when I'm playing."
+
+"Very well," said Maggie; and Lily went out, singing loudly in the hall
+that she might "be sure and not hear."
+
+"Let's take Cromwell," said Gracie, always anxious, no matter what her
+frame of mind, to display her knowledge.
+
+"No," said Maggie, "that's too hard for Lily; and she wants us to take
+some one we know."
+
+"I should think any goose might know about Cromwell," said Gracie.
+
+"We did not know about him till a few weeks ago," said Dora Johnson.
+"We've only just had him in our history, and I don't b'lieve Lily knows
+much about him."
+
+"Then take Lafayette," said Gracie.
+
+"Lily means some of the people we have in our own lives," said Bessie.
+"Make haste: she'll be tired."
+
+This was seconded by Lily's voice calling from without, "Why don't you
+make haste? I should think you were choosing a hundred people."
+
+"Let's take Flossey," said Belle, looking at the dog, who had jumped
+upon a chair beside Maggie, where he sat with a wise and sedate air as
+if he were listening to all that passed, and ready to take his share in
+the game.
+
+This was agreed upon by all but Gracie, who declared that it was
+"ridiculous to choose a dog," and she had "a great mind not to play the
+game in such an absurd way."
+
+Lily was called in and proceeded to ask her questions.
+
+"Male or female?" was the first, beginning at Dora.
+
+"Male," answered Dora.
+
+"Black or white?" asked Lily.
+
+"Neither," said Belle, who was next in turn, "least he's not black at
+all; but he's some white."
+
+Lily looked rather puzzled at this.
+
+"And what color besides is he?"
+
+"Brown," answered Bessie.
+
+"A brown and white man," said Lily. "Oh! I know. It's old black Peter."
+
+"No, no, no," echoed around the circle.
+
+"Not one scrap of Peter is white," said Mamie Stone. "He's the blackest
+old man I ever saw."
+
+"Part of his eyes are white and his teeth too," said Lily, who was
+generally pretty sure of her ground when she stated a fact. "Where does
+he live?"
+
+"In this country," said Nellie.
+
+"In this city?"
+
+"Yes," answered Maggie.
+
+"Is he good or bad?"
+
+"Good, most generally," answered Mabel; "only sometimes pretty
+mischievous."
+
+"Oh," said Lily, light beginning to break upon her. "Can he talk?"
+
+"He tan't talt, but he tan bart pretty well," said Frankie, to whom the
+question fell.
+
+"Oh! oh! that's too plain," cried one and another laughing; and Maggie,
+thinking Frankie did not understand the game well enough to be allowed
+to go out, gave a hint to Lily, but not wishing to hurt her little
+brother's feelings took refuge in the French language, and said:--
+
+"Ne _guessez_ pas a lui."
+
+Frankie, however, was too sharp for her; there was not much that
+escaped him, and he exclaimed in a very aggrieved tone that it was
+"not fair," and that Lily should guess at him.
+
+So Lily said "Flossey" was the character; and, amid much laughter, the
+young gentleman betook himself to the hall with a pompous air, telling
+the little girls to make haste.
+
+"Let's take himself," said Bessie, which being agreed upon, Frankie was
+called back almost before he was well out of the room.
+
+"Is he blat or white?" he asked, following Lily's example, and
+beginning as she had done at Dora.
+
+"He's white," said Dora laughing; and, in obedience to a suggestion
+from Maggie to help him out, she added,--"white, with brown eyes and
+red cheeks and brown hair."
+
+"Flossey," cried Frankie triumphantly.
+
+"No, no; not Flossey again," said the children.
+
+"Does he have four feets?" asked the little boy.
+
+"No, only two," said Belle.
+
+"Does he live in the stable?" asked Frankie.
+
+"No, he lives in this house," said Bessie.
+
+"Blackie," said Frankie, who was unable to give up the idea that since
+it was not Flossey it must be the little pony owned by his sisters.
+
+"Does he eat hay?" was his next question.
+
+"No," answered Nellie, "he eats fruit and meat and bread and milk, and,
+oh! how he does love sugar and candy!"
+
+"Me," cried Frankie, feeling that this description exactly suited
+himself.
+
+The character having been guessed at Nellie she now went out, and
+Maggie, willing to put Gracie in a good humor if possible, asked her
+who they should take this time.
+
+"Mary, Queen of Scots," answered Gracie promptly.
+
+It was not altogether probable that the younger children knew much of
+this unfortunate lady, but Gracie's choice was acceded to and Nellie
+called.
+
+"Male or female?" was of course the first question.
+
+"Female," answered Dora.
+
+"Old or young?"
+
+"Um--m--m, pretty old," said Belle; "at least she was grown up."
+
+"Is she alive now?"
+
+"No," answered Bessie.
+
+"Where did she live?"
+
+"Well," said Lily, "she lived in a good many places. But not in this
+country. Generally in France or Scotland."
+
+"Oh," said Nellie to whom this answer gave an inkling of the truth; but
+she passed on to the next.
+
+"Was she good or bad, Maggie?"
+
+"Some think her quite celestial and some think her quite infernal,"
+answered Maggie with grand emphasis; "but on the whole I think she was
+not either, only rather middling like the most of us."
+
+Nellie felt more confident than ever; but not caring to risk one of her
+three guesses as yet, she passed on. The questions she put to Mabel and
+Frankie were simple and very easily answered; then came Gracie's turn.
+
+"What was she celebrated for?"
+
+"For cruelty and persecuting people," answered Gracie confidently; and
+Nellie's idea was at once put to flight by the reply.
+
+"That's a mistake," said Dora. "You are thinking of another character,
+Gracie."
+
+"I'm not, either," said Gracie. "Don't I know history better than any
+of you?"
+
+"You don't know _that_, anyway," said Maggie. "Gracie, you _are_ wrong.
+_She_ was not the character you are thinking of, and was not celebrated
+for that."
+
+"But she _was_," persisted Gracie.
+
+"Nellie," said Maggie, "you need not guess by what Gracie has told you,
+for she is not right."
+
+"I'll put my question another way," said Nellie. "Can I ask Gracie once
+again?"
+
+All agreed and Nellie asked,--
+
+"Was she celebrated for her beauty and her misfortunes?"
+
+"I shan't tell you," said Gracie snappishly. "If I do, I shan't be
+believed, but they'll all go and contradict me. I suppose I know what
+I know; and any of you might be proud if you knew as much history as I
+do and had kept the head of the class so long."
+
+Gracie had for a moment forgotten how disgracefully she had lost her
+place at the head of the history class, but the silence that followed
+her ill-tempered speech brought it back to her and increased her
+vexation.
+
+"You all think you know so much," she said, throwing herself back
+sullenly in her chair.
+
+Bessie had begged Lily to bear with Gracie and not to aggravate her
+as she seemed so miserable and out of spirits, and Lily had been very
+forbearing; at least, so she thought. But now her small stock of
+patience was quite exhausted and she exclaimed vehemently:--
+
+"Gracie, we try to stand you; we do try with all our might and main;
+but you use up every bit of standing there is in me!"
+
+This did not mend matters in Gracie's present state of mind, but led to
+a pretty severe quarrel between her and Lily which the others vainly
+tried to heal, Lily being rather provoking, and Gracie obstinately
+sullen and ill-tempered.
+
+It ended in a violent burst of tears from the latter, and a declaration
+that she would go home at once. But this was impossible, since it was
+now evening; and the children's supper-time being near at hand, Mrs.
+Bradford could not just then spare a servant to go home with Gracie.
+
+No soothing or coaxing proved of any avail, nor did Lily's repentance;
+for she was sorry now that she had been provoking, and would readily
+have kissed and made up if Gracie could have been persuaded to do so.
+
+Gracie said that she would not stay where Lily was, and went sulkily
+upstairs to the room where Maggie and Bessie slept.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+XI.
+
+_CONFESSION._
+
+
+Gracie expected and wished to be left to herself till it was time to
+go home; at least she thought she did, and she had quite made up her
+mind that if any one came and begged her to go down to supper she would
+steadily refuse.
+
+She stood there with all manner of unhappy and wretched feelings,
+wishing vain and fruitless wishes, as she had so often done since she
+had fallen into this sin,--that she had never allowed Hattie to tempt
+her into doing what she knew to be wrong; that grandmamma had never
+made this plan or offered to put a price on the different pieces of
+work; that she had never gone to the school, or that Nellie had never
+belonged to it; but still she did not think of wishing that she had not
+thought so much of herself or been so very anxious above all things to
+be first.
+
+Poor Gracie! Only those can tell how unhappy she was who have
+themselves so fallen and so suffered. There was no way out of her
+trouble but by confessing all the truth, and she could not bring
+herself to that.
+
+She had not closed the door when she came in, and presently she heard a
+gentle foot-fall, then Bessie's soft voice, saying, "Are you in here,
+Gracie?"
+
+There was no light in the room save the faint glimmer of moonlight
+which came through the window, and as Gracie stood in the shade, Bessie
+did not at first see her.
+
+"Yes, I'm here, but I don't want any supper, and I'm not coming down
+till I go home," answered Gracie, not as ungraciously as she had
+intended to speak, for somehow she could not be disagreeable to dear
+Bessie.
+
+"Supper is not quite ready yet, and you shall have some up here if you
+had very much rather not come down," said Bessie with a coaxing tone in
+her voice; "but you'd better come down, Gracie. They're all very sorry
+for you and don't think you meant to be cross, 'cause Nellie said she
+was sure something troubled you for a good many days, or you did not
+feel well, and that often made people impatient, so we ought not to be
+mad at you."
+
+Gracie made no answer, but presently Bessie heard a low sob.
+
+"Gracie, dear," she said, coming closer to her little friend and
+putting her arms about her neck, "something does trouble you, doesn't
+it? Couldn't you tell me what it is, and let me see if I could comfort
+you? Sometimes it makes people feel better to tell their troubles and
+have some one feel sorry for them."
+
+The caressing touch, the tender manner, the earnest, pleading voice
+were too much for Gracie, and, throwing herself down on a chair, she
+buried her face in her arms and sobbed bitterly.
+
+Bessie let her cry for a moment, for the wise little woman knew that
+tears often do one good for a while, and contented herself with giving
+soft touches to Gracie's hair and neck to let her know she was still
+beside her and ready to give her her sympathy.
+
+At last Gracie raised her head and said brokenly, "Oh, Bessie, I am so
+bad! I am so wicked!"
+
+"I don't think being rather--rather--well, rather cross, is so very
+_wicked_," said Bessie, hesitating to give a hard name to Gracie's
+ill-temper, "and if you are sorry now and will come downstairs, we'll
+all be very glad to see you."
+
+"Oh, it isn't that," sobbed Gracie. "Bessie, if you knew what I've
+done, you'd hate me. I know you would."
+
+"No, I wouldn't," said Bessie. "I'd never hate you, Gracie. I'd only be
+sorry for you and try to help you."
+
+"You can't help me. No one can help me," said Gracie, in a fresh
+paroxysm of distress.
+
+"Can't your mamma? Mammas generally can," said Bessie.
+
+"No, not even mamma," answered Gracie. "Oh, Bessie, I do feel as if it
+would be a kind of relief to tell you; but you'd hate me, you couldn't
+help it; and so would every one else."
+
+"Every one else need not know it because you tell me," said Bessie.
+"Tell Jesus, and ask Him to help you, Gracie."
+
+"Even He can't," said Gracie; "at least--at least--not unless I tell
+other people who ought to know it."
+
+"Do you mean He would want you to tell it?"
+
+"Yes, I s'pose so," almost whispered Gracie.
+
+Bessie considered a moment. That Gracie was full of a vain, foolish
+pride and self-conceit, she knew; also that she was not the Gracie of a
+year or two since; but that she would wrong any one she never dreamed,
+and she could not imagine any cause for this great distress.
+
+"Gracie," she said, "I think by what you say that you must have done
+something to me. I can't think what it can be; but I promise not to be
+angry. I will be friends with you all the same."
+
+"It was not you; no, it was not you; but, Bessie, it was such a
+dreadful thing and so mean that you never can bear me after you know
+it. You are so very true yourself."
+
+"Have you told a story?" asked Bessie in a troubled voice.
+
+"Not told a story, but I acted one," sobbed Gracie. "O Bessie! sit down
+here and let me tell you. I can't keep it in any longer. Maybe you'll
+tell me what to do; but I know what you'll say, and I can't do that."
+
+Bessie did as she was requested, and, in as few whispered words as
+possible, Gracie poured her wretched story into her ears.
+
+Bessie sprang to her feet, and her arms which she had clasped about
+Gracie's neck fell away from it. It was as the latter had feared; this
+was so much worse than any thing Bessie had expected, she was herself
+so truthful and upright, that her whole soul was filled with horror and
+dismay. No wonder that Gracie was distressed. This was indeed dreadful.
+
+"I knew it, I knew it," said Gracie, burying her face again. "I knew
+you never could bear me again. It seemed as if I couldn't help telling
+you, Bessie; but you never, never will speak to me again. I wish--I
+wish--oh, I almost wish I was an orphan and had no one to care for me,
+so I could wish I was dead, only I'm too bad to go to God."
+
+Sympathy and pity were regaining their place in Bessie's heart in spite
+of her horror and indignation at what Gracie had done, and once more
+she sat down beside her and tried to soothe and comfort.
+
+She succeeded in part at least. Gracie's sobs grew less violent, and
+she let Bessie persuade her to raise her head. Then they sat side by
+side, Bessie holding her hand.
+
+"What would you do, Bessie?" asked Gracie. "I know I ought to tell, but
+I don't see how I can. It will be such a disgrace, and all the girls
+will have to know, and I've made such a fuss about myself, and always
+thought I never could do any thing that was very bad. And now this."
+
+And now this!
+
+Yes, after all her boasting, after all her self-confidence, her belief
+that she could not and would not fall into greater sin through her own
+conceit and vanity.
+
+Bessie knew all this; knew how confident Gracie had been in her own
+strength; knew what a bitter shame and mortification it must be to
+have this known; knew that it must be long before she could regain the
+trust and respect of her schoolmates after this thing should once be
+told. During the last few months Gracie had lost much of the liking and
+affection of her little friends; but not one among them would have
+believed her capable of deliberate deceit or of that which was not
+strictly honest.
+
+Ah! it was a great and terrible fall. Bessie felt this as well as
+Gracie.
+
+But she knew also that there was but one thing for Gracie to do; but
+one way in which she could have any peace or comfort once more.
+
+Bessie was not the child for Gracie to put confidence in, if she
+expected advice that was not plain and straightforward.
+
+"What _shall_ I do, Bessie?" she repeated.
+
+"I think you'll have to tell, dear," said the pitying little voice
+beside her.
+
+Gracie actually shrank in a kind of terror at the thought; and yet she
+had known that this was what Bessie would say.
+
+"Oh! I can't, I can't; I never can," she moaned.
+
+"But, Gracie, dear," said the little monitress, "I don't think you
+will ever feel happy and comfortable again till you do; and Jesus is
+displeased with you all the time till you do it. If you told about
+it and tried to make it up to Nellie, then He would be pleased with
+you again. And then you could have comfort in that even if people were
+rather cross to you about it. And, Gracie, Maggie and I will not be
+offended with you. I know Maggie will not; and we'll coax the other
+girls not to tease you or be unkind to you about it."
+
+"Don't you think it was so very wicked in me then?" asked Gracie. "O
+Bessie! you are such a good child, I don't believe you ever have wicked
+thoughts. You don't know how hard it is sometimes not to do wrong when
+you want to do it very much,--when a very, very great temptation comes,
+like this."
+
+"Yes," said Bessie, "I think I do, Gracie. And you are very much
+mistaken when you say I never have naughty thoughts. I have them very
+often, and the only way I can make them go is, to ask Jesus to help
+me, and to keep asking Him till they do go, and the temptation too.
+Perhaps, when you had the temptation to do this you did not remember to
+ask."
+
+"No, I did not," said Gracie. "But, Bessie, it never seemed to me that
+I _could_ do a thing that was not quite true and honest. And I suppose
+it has come because I thought too much of myself and wanted too much to
+have my work the best. It was not that I cared about the money, for you
+know that was for Jessie and her grandfather; but I wanted every one to
+say mine was the best; and it made me so mad that any one should say
+Nellie's was better than mine. If I had not cared so very much, Hattie
+would not have persuaded me, for I _did_ know it was horribly mean. You
+never had a temptation like this, Bessie."
+
+"I don't know," said Bessie slowly. "I think I once had one something
+like it. Don't you remember, Gracie, that time you lost your prize
+composition and we found it in the drawer of the hall-table?"
+
+"Yes," answered Gracie, "and how cross I was about it, and how hateful
+to you and Maggie."
+
+"Well," said Bessie, "I had a very hard temptation that time. I found
+the composition first, and I wanted to leave it there and not tell any
+one, 'cause I wanted Maggie to have the prize so much; and at first it
+did not seem so very wrong to me, and I tried to think I _ought_ not to
+tell, because then my own Maggie could have the prize; but I did not
+feel sure about it, so I asked Jesus to let me see what I ought to do,
+and then I saw it quite plain, and knew I must take the composition to
+you. But it was a dreadful temptation, Gracie."
+
+"Yes," said Gracie with a sigh, feeling deeply the difference between
+herself and her dear little playmate who had so bravely resisted
+temptation. For she knew how very anxious Bessie had been that Maggie
+should gain the prize.
+
+"But you did not _do_ the thing you were tempted to do," she said.
+"What would you do if you had, Bessie?"
+
+"I should go right away and tell my mamma; and perhaps she could find
+some way to help me out of it," said Bessie. "Anyway, she ought to
+know, and she will tell you what you ought to do."
+
+"Oh, it will make mamma feel dreadfully," said Gracie. "She was always
+telling me I would fall into trouble some day because I thought too
+much of myself; but, oh, dear! she never could have believed I would do
+this. Wouldn't you feel awfully, Bessie, if you had done it?"
+
+Yes, indeed. Bessie felt that she should; it almost seemed to her that
+she should die if she had such a weight on her mind and conscience, and
+she felt for Gracie most deeply.
+
+But still she knew that Gracie would never feel right again till she
+had made confession, and she once more urged it upon her; confession to
+God and man; and at last Gracie promised.
+
+Promised with many tears and sobs; but that promise once given, she
+became in haste to have it over and to go home to her mamma at once.
+
+"Ask your mamma to let me go home as soon as she can, Bessie," she
+pleaded. "Tell her I do not feel well, for I do not really. My head
+aches and I feel all shaky, as if I could not hold still; and I don't
+want to see any one down stairs again or to have any supper."
+
+Bessie was about to leave her to do as she was asked, when Mrs.
+Bradford came in.
+
+"Gracie and Bessie," she said, "are you here? You were so long in
+coming that I feared something was wrong. Will you not come down and
+have some supper, Gracie?"
+
+Gracie did not speak, but held fast to Bessie's hand.
+
+"Mamma," said the little girl, "Gracie does not feel well, and she
+would like to go home as soon as you could send her. She's quite
+trembling, mamma. I feel her."
+
+Mrs. Bradford took Gracie's hand in hers and found that it was indeed
+cold and trembling, while her temples were hot and throbbing; for
+over-excitement and worry had made her really ill, and the lady saw
+that she was more fit for bed than for the supper-room.
+
+She told Gracie she should go home immediately, and putting on her hat
+led her down stairs, and calling Mr. Bradford, begged him to take the
+poor little girl home and explain matters to her mamma.
+
+Gracie clung to Bessie for a good-night kiss, whispering, "I will do
+it, Bessie; no matter what comes after, I will do it."
+
+Mr. Bradford took her home,--it was not far from his house,--talking
+cheerfully by the way and trying to keep her amused; but, though Gracie
+felt he was kind, she hardly knew what he was saying, her mind was so
+taken up with the thought of the dreadful secret she had to confess.
+
+Mrs. Howard was startled, as was only natural, to see her little girl
+coming home so much before she had expected her; and Mr. Bradford's
+assurance that he did not think there was much wrong with Gracie, and
+that she would be well after a good night's sleep, did not quiet her
+fears, especially when she looked in Gracie's face.
+
+She quickly undressed her and put her to bed; but, longing as Gracie
+was to have her confession over, she could not tell it while the nurse
+was in the room; and it was not until she was safely in bed, and the
+woman sent to prepare some medicine, that she gave vent to the tears
+she had managed to keep back before her.
+
+"There, there, my darling," said her mother soothingly. "You will be
+better soon. Do not be frightened; this is only a little nervousness."
+
+"O mamma, mamma!" cried poor Gracie; "you ought not to be so kind to
+me. You don't know how bad, how very bad I am."
+
+"Is there any thing especially wrong just now, Gracie?" asked her
+mother gently.
+
+"Yes, mamma; oh, yes. I have--I have--put your head closer, mamma, and
+let me whisper;" and then, with her face hidden against her mother's
+shoulder, came the confession, made with many bitter tears and sobs.
+
+Mrs. Howard was greatly shocked; she could hardly speak when she heard
+all.
+
+"Shall you ever be able to forgive me, mamma?" sobbed Gracie. "I know,
+I know you think me perfectly dreadful, but if you could try me just
+this once, and see if I ever do such a thing again. Indeed, I don't
+think I could. I know I am not too good to do it, as I thought I was
+before; but I have felt so dreadfully ever since I did it, I don't
+think I could ever punish myself so again."
+
+"I can believe that you have been very unhappy, my child," said her
+mother; "indeed I have seen it, though I did not know the cause. But
+you have need to ask a higher forgiveness than mine."
+
+"I will, mamma," said Gracie; "but--but--I suppose Nellie and the other
+children must be told?"
+
+"I fear so, Gracie," said her mother. "Nellie must be righted and have
+her own mat again, and I do not see how we are to avoid having the rest
+of the children hear this terrible thing also. I must see Miss Ashton
+in the morning and talk it over with her, and we will arrange what is
+best to be done. But now you must try to be quiet and go to sleep. You
+are over-excited and will be really ill, so I can allow you to talk no
+more. But before you sleep, my child, make your peace with your Father
+in heaven, and ask Him to help you to bear the punishment you have
+brought upon yourself by your naughty pride and ambition."
+
+Gracie obeyed her mother as well as she was able; and, truly repentant,
+we may hope, at last fell into a troubled sleep.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+XII.
+
+_THE FAIR._
+
+
+The next day was Saturday, when there was no school, so that Mrs.
+Howard was able to see Miss Ashton and tell her the sad story, quite
+early in the morning.
+
+Miss Ashton was much grieved and surprised; for, as she told Mrs.
+Howard, although she had known that Gracie's high thoughts of herself
+and belief that she was wiser and better than any of her companions
+often led her into exaggeration, yet she could not have believed her
+capable of any thing that was really mean and dishonorable.
+
+She was distressed, too, at the thought of the exposure and
+mortification which must follow; for it seemed necessary, for Nellie's
+sake, that not only Grandmamma Howard, but the whole school should
+know the truth. She and Mrs. Howard talked it all over for some time,
+but neither of the two ladies saw any way to avoid this disgrace
+for Gracie. They would willingly have spared her the punishment, if
+possible, for she had already suffered severely, and she seemed so
+truly humble and repentant that her mother did not believe there was
+much fear she would again fall into this sin.
+
+Mrs. Howard had thought last night that perhaps she ought to deprive
+Gracie of any share in the fair; but that must make her disgrace
+very well known, and now she hoped that there was no need of further
+punishment to make her see and feel her great fault.
+
+And now Grandmamma Howard must be seen and told the sad story. Mrs.
+Howard knew that she would be much distressed that her kind plan should
+turn out so badly. Neither Gracie's mamma nor Miss Ashton had quite
+approved of that plan; especially on Gracie's account, but they could
+not well say so and cross the good old lady.
+
+It was as they had feared. Grandmamma was very much grieved and
+disturbed to know that what she had intended to be a help and a
+kindness, had only proved a source of trouble, and an encouragement to
+Gracie's besetting sin.
+
+There yet remained to Mrs. Howard the still more painful task of
+telling Nellie how she had been wronged. She would have thought it
+right to make Gracie do this herself, had it not been that the child
+was really ill that morning, and in no state for further excitement;
+and it was not just to Nellie to put off the confession any longer.
+
+Nellie was filled with amazement. Much as she had wondered over the
+unfortunate spot upon the mat she supposed to be hers, she had never
+dreamed of a thing like this, nor had she the least suspicion of the
+truth. Indeed, how should she?
+
+She was a quiet child, with a more wise and thoughtful little head
+than those who did not know her well would have given her credit for;
+but words did not come to her very readily, and, after the first
+surprise was over, she only said to Mrs. Howard, with the tears in her
+eyes,--
+
+"Please tell Gracie I am not angry with her, and hope she will be
+friends with me once more. Let's try not to think about it any more
+than we can help; will you, Mrs. Howard?"
+
+Generous, forgiving Nellie! How ashamed Gracie felt when her mother
+told her this, and she contrasted Nellie's conduct with her own.
+
+She lay upon her little bed that afternoon, feeling wretched both
+in mind and body, though it was a relief to remember that she had
+confessed all to mamma, and that she had set her face toward the right
+way once more, when Mrs. Howard came in bringing Nellie with her.
+
+Poor Gracie gave a low sob, and covered her face with her hands in
+utter shame and distress, feeling as if she could not bear to have
+Nellie look at her.
+
+But in a moment Nellie was beside her, saying,--
+
+"Don't, Gracie; please don't. You needn't feel so very badly about it
+now. I don't care much, and we'll make it all up."
+
+"Oh, Nellie, Nellie! I don't deserve you to be so kind to me," sobbed
+Gracie. "I was so hateful to you and so jealous, and it seemed as if I
+could not bear to have you go before me in any thing. I know I've been
+just too hateful to you."
+
+"Well, never mind now," said Nellie.
+
+Mrs. Howard had gone out and left the two children together.
+
+"I can't help minding," said Gracie; "and, only think, Nellie, all
+the other girls in the school will have to know, and it will shame me
+almost to death. I hope, I hope mamma will never make me go back to
+school, and I mean to stay away from the fair, any way."
+
+"That is what I came to see you about," said Nellie. "The girls need
+not know, Gracie. You see my--your--the mat with the ink-spot on it is
+nearly finished now, so I have done about as much work on one as on the
+other. And I don't care so very much about having mine called the best,
+for the money will do Jessie and her grandfather just as much good, no
+matter who earns it. So if each of us finishes the one she has now, it
+will be all the same, and the rest of the children need never know it.
+I am sure, Gracie, I should feel just as you do, and never want to come
+back to school again or see any of our class if I had done this, and I
+know just how badly you must feel. So I thought about it, and it seemed
+to me it would come right again if we just went on with the work as if
+this had not been found out; I mean if you had not told. I'd rather no
+one would know it but just those who know now. Don't you think we could
+arrange it so, Gracie? Your mother gave me leave to tell you this, and
+says she would be very glad for you if it can be done, and she thinks
+Miss Ashton will be willing."
+
+To hear the earnest, wistful voice one might have supposed that
+generous, great-hearted Nellie was pleading for some great boon for
+herself.
+
+But she could not tell all that Gracie felt. No, indeed; she did not
+know what coals of fire she was heaping on her head; how perfectly
+humbled and remorseful she felt as she remembered all the hard thoughts
+she had cherished toward her; the unkind words and unjust actions of
+which she had been guilty; all forgotten now, it seemed, by Nellie, who
+was only anxious to make the path of repentance as easy as possible to
+her, and to avoid all unnecessary shame and exposure to the one who had
+so greatly injured her.
+
+With many sobs and broken words she told Nellie all that was in her
+heart, beseeching her forgiveness, and thanking her over and over for
+her consideration and sweet thoughtfulness; not that she put it in just
+such words, but in those that were very simple and very touching to
+Nellie.
+
+So peace was made between them,--a peace that was sure to be lasting
+and true where there was such sincere repentance on one side, such good
+will and hearty forgiveness on the other.
+
+Grandmamma Howard was only too glad on Gracie's account to accept
+Nellie's generous proposal.
+
+Miss Ashton also agreed that the matter should go no further, and so
+it was arranged, and further disgrace to Gracie avoided, although the
+weight of shame and remorse was not readily lifted from her heart, and
+she felt as if her schoolmates must know her secret and that she dared
+scarcely look them in the face.
+
+They all wondered at the new humility and modesty which she now began
+to show; but the change was an agreeable one, and drew forth no unkind
+remarks.
+
+A prettier sight than Miss Ashton's garden and piazza on that lovely
+June afternoon when the long-talked-of fair took place, would have been
+hard to find. Kind friends had decked the spot tastefully; flowers
+were everywhere in abundance; the tables conveniently and becomingly
+arranged; and the display of articles upon them was not only tempting,
+but such as had been manufactured by the children did them wonderful
+credit. Flags, ribbons, wreaths, and festoons, all joined to make the
+scene gay; and in and out, among and below them flitted the white-robed
+"little sunbeams," who lent the fairest life and brightness to the
+scene.
+
+"Sunbeams" they all were that day, indeed. No cloud appeared to darken
+their happiness, no ill-temper, jealousy, or desire to outvie one
+another was heard or seen. Even Gracie and Hattie, who were each rather
+oppressed with the sense of past naughtiness, and the feeling of what
+the others would say and think if they knew all, could not but be
+bright and gay amid this pleasant companionship.
+
+Gracie had told Hattie that she had confessed her sin to her mother,
+and the latter knew that some share of blame must have fallen to her;
+so, although she did not look upon it in as serious a light as Gracie
+did, she had an uncomfortable and conscious feeling. Miss Ashton had
+talked to her more seriously than she had ever done before, and had
+also informed her parents of what had taken place, telling them that
+she did not wish to disgrace Hattie, and so, as it was near the close
+of school, she would not ask them to remove her now; but that she could
+not take her back in the fall. Hattie's utter disregard of truth had
+already brought too much trouble into her little flock for her to risk
+any further mischief from that source.
+
+Hattie's parents had been much mortified and displeased, and the child
+herself had been severely punished; but I doubt if the punishment had
+been altogether just; for how was the child who saw equivocation and
+deceit used at home as a means of family government when convenience
+demanded it, to learn the value of the jewel thus sullied, or to judge
+of the line where it was believed that falsehood must stop and truth
+and uprightness begin?
+
+As for generous Nellie, she seemed to have no recollection of what had
+passed, unless it was in the new and caressing tenderness of her manner
+toward Gracie; not a patronizing manner, but one full of encouragement
+and helpfulness.
+
+The other children wondered not only at Gracie's new gentleness and
+modesty, but also at the sudden intimacy which seemed to have sprung up
+between these two.
+
+"Maybe," said Lily privately, "it is because Gracie is learning to
+think better of herself"--which was just the opposite from what Lily
+meant--"and Nellie's trying to help her."
+
+"Yes," said Maggie; "perhaps Gracie is learning it is 'never too late
+to mend,' which would make her much more agreeable, and other people
+would think more of her. I do think she is improved."
+
+Maggie had yielded not alone to the persuasions of Miss Ashton, but
+also to an earnest appeal from Gracie, and accepted once more the
+title of Queen. And very well she became it, standing in front of her
+throne--which she could not be persuaded to occupy--within the pretty
+bower into which one end of the piazza had been turned, according to
+her ideas. Bessie, Belle, and Lily were her "maids of honor," and
+helped her to sell the bouquets and baskets of flowers with which she
+was bountifully supplied; and they drove a thriving trade; for so many
+sweet smiles, bright looks, and winning words went with the flowers
+that the stock within the "Queen's Bower" was much in demand. She had
+her band of music too, for half a dozen canary-birds hung within and
+around the bower, and, excited by the laughter and chatter about them,
+seemed to try which could sing the loudest and sweetest.
+
+Jessie's parrot was on exhibition, lent by his present owner for the
+occasion, down in the old summer-house at the end of the garden, where
+Jessie herself took the ten cents admission fee, and made him display
+all his accomplishments.
+
+And the Doll! She must have a capital letter to do justice to her
+perfections. Of all the dolls that ever were seen or heard or thought
+of, that doll surely took the lead. It would be of no use for me to
+describe her or her toilet, for if you should ever see her, you would
+surely tell me that I had not told one half.
+
+It was nearly the hour at which the fair was "to begin," and the
+children were all gathered about the table on which she was displayed,
+when there came a ring at the front door-bell.
+
+Away fluttered every little saleswoman to her appointed stand, hoping
+that this might be the first customer.
+
+And so it proved; for it was no less a person than old Mrs. Howard, who
+had purposely timed her arrival so that she might be there before any
+other person.
+
+"Well, my dears," she said, looking round upon the smiling young faces
+about her, "this is a pretty sight. And, industrious as I know you have
+been, and kind as your friends have been, I should hardly have thought
+it possible that you should have made such a fine show on your tables.
+But you know I have some especial business with you, and I have come
+early that we may have it over before the rush begins."
+
+This was very encouraging. Mrs. Howard thought it probable they would
+have "a rush" of customers, and who should know better than she?
+
+"You remember I offered six prizes for different articles to be worked
+for me," continued the old lady, "but there are only four finished,
+as you know. My little grand-daughter, Gracie, felt that she had not
+displayed a proper spirit about them, and she decided not to finish
+hers for the fair, but to leave it and complete it for me afterwards."
+
+This had been Gracie's own proposal to her mother and grandmother,
+and they had allowed her to have her own way, thinking that this
+willingness to put herself behind the others, and to give up even the
+show of strife with Nellie, told of a spirit of true repentance, as
+indeed it did. When the other children had asked with much surprise
+where her mat was, she had answered quietly that she could not finish
+it. This had not proved any loss to the fair, because the time she
+would have devoted to the mat had been given to other articles.
+
+"Here, then," continued Mrs. Howard, "are two toilet sets and two mats
+for me to judge between. Of the latter, the one Nellie Ransom brings is
+certainly the best in point of work; but it has unfortunately received
+a bad ink-stain. Now those of us who know Nellie are very sure that
+this has not come through any neglect or carelessness of her own, and
+since she did not do it herself it seems hard that she should suffer
+for it. I should be quite willing to overlook it, for this is really
+the best piece of work among the four; but I cannot do so unless the
+others are willing. Those among you who think Nellie ought not to be a
+loser by this misfortune, raise your hands."
+
+Instantly every little hand was raised, and if one were before another
+it was Gracie's.
+
+"Very well; that is satisfactory," said Mrs. Howard. "Nellie, my dear,
+here are ten dollars for your mat, the first money taken in for your
+fair. The second sum, I think, must go to Maggie's toilet set--ah!
+yes, Maggie's and Bessie's, I should have said," as she saw the look
+which Maggie turned upon her sister, as if wishing that she should have
+her full share of credit--"the third to Dora's mat, and the fourth
+to Hattie's toilet set. You are all satisfied, I trust, with this
+arrangement."
+
+There was a murmur of assent, and this part of the business was settled.
+
+"And now," said Mrs. Howard, "I want to say that I think I made a
+mistake in offering these rates of prices, and so exciting you to
+outvie one another. I meant to give you a motive for trying to improve
+yourselves, but I believe it was not a good principle to set you thus
+one against the other, and I know that it has led to some hard feeling
+and unkindness. But that, I trust, is now all healed, and I shall take
+care not to put such temptation in your way again."
+
+The children all thought they knew what Mrs. Howard meant, and with
+true courteousness they all avoided looking at Gracie.
+
+But this was as much as was ever known by any of them, save the two
+or three who had been in the secret, of Gracie's temptation and fall.
+That she had been jealous and unkind to Nellie, they had all seen; that
+she had gone further and been led into deceit and meanness, they never
+heard. Hattie, for her own sake, held her peace for once; and penitent
+Gracie had not to face the scorn and wonder of all her schoolmates.
+
+After this Mrs. Howard went about from table to table, purchasing
+not only one article, but generally two or three, from each little
+saleswoman; but she said she would not remove them till the fair was
+over, so that they might still add to the appearance of their tables.
+They were all marked SOLD in enormous, staring letters, that there
+might be no possibility of mistake.
+
+And now, customer after customer began to flock in, and among the
+earlier arrivals came Mr. Powers, who was immediately seized upon by
+Belle, and led to the table where the baby doll lay in her glory.
+
+Now it had been announced that whoever offered the highest price for
+this famous infant was to have her, and it was not to be told till the
+close of the fair who had done this. The names of would-be purchasers,
+with the amount each offered, were written down by Miss Annie Stanton,
+who still held the doll in charge, lest too eager little hands should
+mar her beauties.
+
+"Please offer a whole lot, papa; I do want her so," said Belle. "Isn't
+she lovely? Did you ever see such a doll?"
+
+Mr. Powers expressed all the admiration he thought needful, which
+did not nearly satisfy Belle, who was only half consoled by what she
+thought a want of proper interest by Maggie's whispered assurance that
+men "never did appreciate dolls, and it was quite useless to expect it
+of them. It did not seem to be born in them."
+
+However, Mr. Powers put down his name and the sum he would give, which
+last remained for the present a secret between him and Miss Annie
+Stanton.
+
+Mamie Stone was as eager about the doll as Belle, and her mamma was
+called upon also to offer a high price for the treasure.
+
+But my "Sunbeam" would lengthen itself far beyond its sister rays if
+I should tell you all that took place at the fair. Enough to say that
+it was a great success, and that a sum was taken in that was more
+than sufficient to purchase Jessie's parrot back and to provide a
+comfortable home for herself and her grandfather for at least a year to
+come. That is, with what the little girl might hope to make herself by
+the further sale of her wares.
+
+Evening came, bringing with it the great interest of the day, the
+announcement of the munificent purchaser of the doll, and every little
+heart beat high with hope that it might be some friend of her own, who
+would bestow the coveted prize upon her.
+
+It proved to be Grandmamma Howard.
+
+Belle stood in an agony of expectation, squeezing her father's hand and
+scarcely breathing in the hush that came before the name was spoken;
+and when she heard "Mrs. Howard," a rush of color dyed her face, and a
+look of blank disappointment overspread it. She looked up and caught
+her father's gaze fixed anxiously upon her. She dashed her little hand
+across her eyes to scatter the tears that would well up, and, forcing a
+smile, said with a trembling lip, "Never mind, papa, you meant me to
+have it, so it was just as good of you."
+
+Her father stooped and kissed her, rejoicing in her sweetness and
+determined good temper. A little more than a year since, a tempest
+of tears and sobs would have broken from his over-indulged child;
+but now she had learned to control herself and to be contented and
+pleasant even when things did not go quite her own way. She was all
+smiles and brightness again in a few minutes, nearly consoled for her
+disappointment by her papa's caress and his few whispered words of
+blessing.
+
+All believed that Gracie or one of her little sisters would be
+presented with the doll by her grandmother; and great, therefore, was
+the amazement of the circle of young friends when the next day it was
+rumored, then made certain, that Mrs. Howard had sent it to Nellie
+Ransom.
+
+Every child wondered "why," and so did more than one grown person; for
+the Howards and the Ransoms were not, as Maggie said, "very intimate,
+and it was rather surprising Mrs. Howard should think of giving such a
+present to Nellie. But she seems to have taken a great fancy to her,
+and Nellie quite deserves it," she added.
+
+"I wonder if she gave it to her because of the mat," said Mamie Stone.
+
+"I think it was because she is such a serious child," said Lily. "I
+find old people like _seriosity_, and Nellie has a great deal of it."
+
+So they judged, these little ones. Nellie, gentle, unobtrusive "little
+sunbeam" that she was, went on her quiet way, shedding light and warmth
+in many an unsuspected nook and corner, and bringing now and then some
+hidden seed to blossom in beauty and fragrance.
+
+Only one of her schoolmates ever suspected that it was her thoughtful
+care for Gracie's character and feelings, her sweet forgiving spirit
+which led her to forget past injuries, which had won for her the gift
+of the much coveted doll, and given her a high place in the love and
+admiration of the few who knew all the story.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+     Cambridge: Press of John Wilson and Son.
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:
+
+Obvious printer errors have been corrected. Otherwise, the author's
+original spelling, punctuation and hyphenation have been left intact.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jessie's Parrot, by Joanna Mathews
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44123 ***
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+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44123 ***</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image1-coverpage.jpg" id="coverpage" width="600" height="831" alt="Cover" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h2 style="margin-top: 4em;"><em>LITTLE SUNBEAMS.</em></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img src="images/image4.jpg" width="28" height="3" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>IV.</h2>
+
+<h1 style="margin-bottom: 4em;">JESSIE'S PARROT.</h1>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>By the author of this Volume.</h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 1em;" src="images/image4.jpg" width="28" height="3" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>I.</big></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>LITTLE SUNBEAMS.</big></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>By <span class="smcap">Joanna H. Mathews</span></big>, Author of the "Bessie Books."</p>
+
+<table class="centered" border="0" cellpadding="2" width="80%" summary="Books">
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">I.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Belle Powers' Locket.</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;16mo</td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">$1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">II.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Dora's Motto.</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;16mo</td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">III.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Lily Norris' Enemy</span></td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">IV.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Jessie's Parrot</span></td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">V.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Mamie's Watchword</span></td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">1.00</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 2em;" src="images/image3.jpg" width="28" height="6" alt="fancy line" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>II.</big></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>THE FLOWERETS.</big></p>
+
+
+<table class="centered" border="0" cellpadding="2" width="80%" summary="Books">
+<tr><td>A series of Stories on the Commandments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6 vols.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In a box</td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">$3.60</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 1em;">"It is not easy to say too good a word for this admirable series.
+Interesting, graphic, impressive, they teach with great distinctness the
+cardinal lessons which they would have the youthful reader learn."&mdash;<em>S. S. Times.</em></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 2em;" src="images/image3.jpg" width="28" height="6" alt="fancy line" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>III.</big></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>THE BESSIE BOOKS.</big></p>
+
+<table class="centered" border="0" cellpadding="2" width="80%" summary="Books">
+<tr><td>6 vols.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In a box</td> <td style="text-align: right;">$7.50</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 1em;">"Bessie is a very charming specimen of little girlhood. It is a lovely
+story of home and nursery life among a family of bright, merry little
+children."&mdash;<em>Presbyterian.</em></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 2em;" src="images/image4.jpg" width="28" height="3" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;">ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,</p>
+<p class="center"><em>New York</em>.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;">
+<img class="border" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;" src="images/image6.jpg" width="450" height="643" alt="Jessie's Parrot." />
+</div>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 25%;">Jessie's Parrot.</p>
+
+<p class="center">FRONTISPIECE.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="title-page" style="margin-bottom: 2em;">
+<h2>JESSIE'S PARROT.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 3em;"><big>"A HAUGHTY SPIRIT GOETH BEFORE A FALL."</big></p>
+
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 3em;">"He that is down need fear no fall,<br />
+He that is low no pride,<br />
+He that is humble ever shall<br />
+Have God to be his guide."<br /></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;">BY</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 1em;">JOANNA H. MATHEWS,</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 6em;">AUTHOR OF THE "BESSIE BOOKS" AND THE "FLOWERETS."</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<p class="center">NEW YORK:</p>
+<p class="center">ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">530 Broadway.</span></p>
+<p class="center">1876.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 2em;">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by</p>
+<p class="center">ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,</p>
+<p class="center">In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 8em;">CAMBRIDGE:</p>
+<p class="center">PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 36px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 1em;" src="images/image5.jpg" width="36" height="4" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<table class="centered" border="0" cellpadding="10" width="60%" summary="CONTENTS.">
+
+<tr><th style="text-align: right;">CHAP.</th>             <th></th>                         <th style="text-align: right;">PAGE</th></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#bird">I.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The New Scholar</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">9</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#excursion">II.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">An Excursion</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">31</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#grandfather">III.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Jessie and her Grandfather</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">52</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#parrot">IV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Parrot</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">69</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#grandmamma">V.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Grandmamma Howard</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">90</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#jealousy">VI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Jealousy</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">110</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#misfortune">VII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">A Misfortune</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">129</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#spider">VIII.</a></td> <td>"<span class="smcap">The Spider and the Fly</span>"</td> <td style="text-align: right;">148</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#guilty">IX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">A Guilty Conscience</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">168</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#game">X.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">A Game of Characters</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">189</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#confession">XI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Confession</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">205</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#fair">XII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Fair</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">223</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 242px;">
+<a name="bird" id="bird"><img src="images/image7.jpg" width="242" height="125" alt="bird" />
+</a></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 2em;" src="images/image4.jpg" width="28" height="3" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>JESSIE'S PARROT.</h2>
+
+<h2>I.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>THE NEW SCHOLAR.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-f.jpg"
+width="49" height="50" alt="f" />
+</div><p><span class="dropletter">"F</span>ANNY LEROY is going away from
+our school," said Carrie Ransom
+one morning to Belle Powers and
+two or three more of her young schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! I'm sorry," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," said Dora Johnson. "Why is
+she going?"</p>
+
+<p>"Has she finished her education, and is she
+never going to school any more?" asked
+Mabel Walton.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no," said Belle; "she's nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
+but a little girl; and you don't finish your
+education till you're quite grown up and have
+long dresses."</p>
+
+<p>"Why is she going away?" asked Lily.
+"I don't want her to go. I like Fanny."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I. She's real nice," said Carrie;
+"but she is going, for all, 'cause her father
+and mother and all her family are going to
+Europe and she is going with them."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish she wouldn't," said Belle; and
+one and another echoed their sorrow at the
+loss of their schoolmate.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny had always been well liked in the
+school; but now that they were about to lose
+her the little girls found that they were even
+more fond of her than they had supposed, and
+many regrets were expressed when, a moment
+later, she came in accompanied by Gracie
+Howard.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny herself was very melancholy and
+low, for this was to be the last day at school,
+as she informed the other children; the journey
+to Europe having been decided upon rather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>
+suddenly, and the departure was to take place
+within a few days. Nevertheless, although
+she was sorry to part with her teacher and
+classmates, and in mortal dread of the voyage,
+she felt herself rather of a heroine, and entitled
+to be made much of.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have an empty place in our school
+then," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Fanny, "for my cousin Hattie
+is coming to take my place; it is all arranged,
+and Miss Ashton says she can come."</p>
+
+<p>"Is she nice?" asked Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;yes," answered Fanny, half doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't seem to think she's so <em>very</em>,"
+said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>No, Fanny evidently had her own opinion
+on this subject; but as she was not a child
+who was ready to speak ill of the absent, she
+would not say more than she could help. But
+the interest and curiosity of her schoolmates
+were aroused, and they could not be satisfied
+without hearing more.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I know Hattie," said Gracie Howard, who
+was more intimate with Fanny and her family
+than any of the other children,&mdash;"I know
+Hattie, and I like her. She thinks I am very
+nice. She told me so."</p>
+
+<p>This was plainly the highest of recommendations
+in Gracie's eyes. Any one who admired
+her was sure of her favor; but this fact did
+not have quite as much weight with her companions
+as it did with herself, and they turned
+once more to Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>"But tell us, Fanny," said Lily Norris,
+"why don't you like her so very much?"</p>
+
+<p>Fanny looked, as she felt, uncomfortable
+at this close question.</p>
+
+<p>"Why," she answered reluctantly, "I do
+like her; she's my cousin, you know, so I have
+to; but then&mdash;but then&mdash;I think I'll let you
+wait till she comes to find out the kind of girl
+she is. Maybe you'll like her very much. Gracie
+does."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny had her own doubts whether Gracie
+or any of the others would always continue to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+like Hattie as well as they might do upon a
+first acquaintance; but she very properly and
+generously resolved not to tell tales and prejudice
+the minds of the other children against
+the new comer. Better to give Hattie all the
+chance she could and let it be her own fault
+if she were not popular with her classmates.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot say that Fanny reasoned this out
+in just such words; but the kind thought was
+in her mind, and she resolved to hold her
+peace and say nothing unkind about her
+cousin. Would Hattie have done as much for
+her or for any one else? You shall judge for
+yourself by and by.</p>
+
+<p>The parting with Fanny was rather a sad
+one, for the children were all fond of her, and
+she took it so very hardly herself, declaring
+that she never expected to see any one of them
+again. For Fanny, though a very good and
+amiable little girl, was one who was apt to
+"borrow trouble," as the saying is; that is,
+she was always worrying herself about misfortunes
+which would, could, or might happen to
+herself or her friends.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Therefore she now expressed her expectation
+of never seeing any of her young friends
+again, and when Lily very naturally inquired
+if the family meant to stay "for ever an' ever
+an' ever," said, "No, but people were very
+often drowned when they went to Europe in a
+steamer, and very likely she would be."</p>
+
+<p>Nor was she to be persuaded to take a more
+cheerful view of the future, even when Dora
+Johnson suggested that many more people
+crossed the ocean and returned in safety than
+were lost upon it. She was determined to
+dwell upon the possibilities, and even probabilities
+of her being shipwrecked, and took
+leave of her schoolmates with a view to such
+a fate.</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny did not act as if she thought we'd
+like her cousin Hattie very much, did she?"
+questioned Nellie Ransom as she walked
+homeward with Gracie Howard, Dora Johnson,
+and Laura Middleton.</p>
+
+<p>"No, she did not," said Laura. "Fanny
+don't tell tales or say unkind things about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+people, but it was quite plain she does
+not think so very much of Hattie Leroy."</p>
+
+<p>"I know the reason why," said Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Laura.</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny said something very hateful about
+me," answered Gracie, "and Hattie told me
+of it; and just for that Fanny was mad at
+Hattie."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I should think Fanny might be
+mad," said Laura. "Hattie had no right to
+tell you if Fanny didn't mean her to, and
+I don't believe she did."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Gracie, "I don't suppose Fanny
+did want me to know it; but then she had no
+business to say it."</p>
+
+<p>"Hattie had no business to repeat it," said
+Dora indignantly; "if she is that kind of a
+girl I don't wonder Fanny don't like her,
+and I wish she was not coming to our
+school."</p>
+
+<p>"What did Fanny say?" asked Laura, who
+had her full share of curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"She said&mdash;she-er&mdash;she-er&mdash;I'm not going<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+to tell you what she said," answered Gracie,
+who was really ashamed to confess what slight
+cause for offence Fanny had given, and that it
+was her own wounded self-love which made it
+appear so "hateful."</p>
+
+<p>But although Gracie would not tell her
+schoolmates, I shall tell you, for I know all
+about it.</p>
+
+<p>The mighty trouble was just this.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie Leroy had but lately come to live in
+the city, and just when her parents were looking
+around for a good school to send her to,
+Fanny's papa and mamma made up their
+minds to take her abroad. This left her place
+vacant in Miss Ashton's class, and, as you
+have heard, it was at once secured for her
+little cousin.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Gracie and Hattie, who had met
+at Fanny's house, had struck up a violent
+<em>intimate friendship</em> and were now much
+together.</p>
+
+<p>As may be supposed, Hattie was very curious
+respecting her future teacher and classmates,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+and asked both Fanny and Gracie many questions
+about them.</p>
+
+<p>But, although the accounts given by the
+two children agreed in most points, yet, in
+some way, the story told by Gracie left a very
+different impression from that of Fanny. The
+latter thought her teacher and classmates very
+nearly, if not quite, perfect, and bestowed her
+praise freely and without stint. Well, and if you
+had heard Gracie's report you might have said
+that she did the same; but whenever Gracie
+said one good word for another she said a
+dozen for herself. One girl was a very bright
+scholar, but she stood second to Gracie;
+another was always punctual and steady, but
+Gracie had still a higher number of marks for
+these two virtues&mdash;or at least if she did not
+<em>have</em> them, she <em>deserved</em> them, and it was the
+fault of some one else that they had not fallen
+to her share. Nellie Ransom wrote such fine
+compositions; but then, they were by no means
+to be compared to Gracie's own,&mdash;oh, dear, no!
+So it was with each and every one; whatever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+merit any child in the class possessed, Gracie's
+went beyond it.</p>
+
+<p>So at last Hattie quite naturally asked
+Fanny if Gracie were really the best child, the
+finest scholar, and the most admired and praised
+of all her classmates.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no," answered Fanny; "Gracie is a
+very good scholar, and 'most always knows her
+lessons perfectly; but Nellie is even better than
+she is, and has kept the head of the spelling
+and history classes ever so long. And she
+generally writes the best compositions; but
+Gracie don't think so, and always says Miss
+Ashton is unjust if she gives Nellie the highest
+marks. But Gracie <em>is</em> very smart, and can
+learn quicker than any of the rest of us; and
+she 'most always behaves well in school too."</p>
+
+<p>"Better than any one else?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Fanny, rather indignantly;
+"there's lots of the children that are just as
+good as she is. She's not the best one in the
+school at all. She's good enough, but not so
+wonderful."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"She thinks she is," said Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"That's nothing," answered Fanny; "people's
+thinking they are a thing don't make them
+that thing, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you think Gracie is conceited and
+thinks a great deal of herself, do you?" asked
+Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes," answered Fanny, though half
+reluctantly; "no one could help thinking that,
+you know."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny expressed herself in this manner
+more as a way of <em>excusing</em> her own opinion of
+Gracie than as accusing her little playmate.</p>
+
+<p>"Who do you think <em>is</em> the best child in all
+the school?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," answered Fanny, after a moment's
+reflection, "I b'lieve Belle Powers is. At
+least I think it is the best in her to be as good
+as she is, for she has to try pretty hard sometimes."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" asked inquisitive Hattie again.</p>
+
+<p>"Because she has no mother, and she has
+always been a good deal spoiled by her papa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>
+and her old nurse. But I never saw any child
+who wanted to be good more than Belle, and
+she tries very much; and we are all very fond
+of her, and Miss Ashton excuses her things
+sometimes because she is sorry for her."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't that make you mad?" said Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Fanny with much energy;
+"we'd be real mean if we were mad when
+Belle has no mother. No, indeed; no one
+could bear to have Belle scolded; we all love
+her too much."</p>
+
+<p>Now this was seemingly a most innocent
+conversation; was it not? and one could hardly
+have supposed that it would have made trouble
+for poor Fanny as it did.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie and Fanny lived within a few doors
+of one another, the latter a little nearer to
+Miss Ashton's house than the former; and
+Gracie was in the habit of stopping for Fanny
+on her way to school that they might walk
+there together.</p>
+
+<p>But one morning a day or two after this,
+Fanny, standing by the window and watching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+for her young friend as usual, saw her go by
+with her maid without so much as turning
+her head or casting her eye up at the window
+where she must know Fanny awaited her.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the queerest thing I ever knew," said
+Fanny to her father as she walked along by his
+side a few moments later; "it 'most seems as
+if Gracie was offended with me to do so; but
+then she can't be, for I have not done a thing
+to her. I shall ask her right away, as soon as
+I am at school."</p>
+
+<p>But Fanny was only just in time to take off
+her hat and cloak and go to her seat before the
+bell rang, and so had no opportunity before
+school to inquire into the cause of Gracie's
+strange behavior.</p>
+
+<p>There was no need of words, however, to
+show that Gracie was indeed offended with her,
+for averted looks and scornful tossings of the
+head showed that plainly enough. Poor Fanny
+was hurt and uncomfortable, and vainly tried to
+imagine what she could have done that offended
+Gracie so much.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She ran to her as soon as recess gave her
+liberty to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Gracie! what is the matter?" she
+asked. "Why did you not stop for me this
+morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Cause I did not choose to," answered
+Gracie shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you mad with me?" asked Fanny,
+putting a very unnecessary question, for it was
+quite plain to all beholders that this was
+Gracie's state of mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am; and I have a good right to be
+too," answered Gracie, her eyes flashing at
+Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>"What <em>have</em> I done?" asked the innocent
+Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>"You need not pretend you don't know,
+Miss Hateful," replied Gracie, "nor pretend
+you haven't a guilty conscience. I've found
+you out! I'll never be friends with you
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to tell Fanny what it is, and
+let her make it up," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"She can't make it up. I've found her out
+before it was too late. She is a false, treacherous
+friend," said Gracie, waxing magnificent
+and severe in her reproaches, as she imagined.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Fanny, a tender-hearted, sensitive
+little thing, was overwhelmed by these upbraidings,
+which she was not conscious of deserving;
+but neither her entreaties nor those of the
+other children could draw more than this from
+Gracie, who turned away from them with an
+air of great offence, and holding her head
+very high with insulted dignity.</p>
+
+<p>"Augh!" said Lily Norris, who generally
+took up the cudgels in defence of any one
+whom she considered oppressed or injured, and
+who generally contrived to be quite as cutting
+and severe in her remarks as the offender had
+been; "you had better take care, Gracie;
+some day that nose of yours won't come down
+again, it is growing so used to sticking itself
+up at people. If when you're grown up
+people call you 'stuck-up-nose Miss Howard,'
+you won't feel very complimented; but you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+can just remember it is the consequence of
+your being such a proudy when you was
+young."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie made no reply, except by raising
+both nose and head higher still, which
+expressive motion Lily answered by saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, <em>don't</em> I feel like giving you a good
+slap!" with which she walked away, fearing
+perhaps that she might be too strongly
+tempted to put her desire into execution.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny was a good deal distressed, and the
+other children all felt much sympathy for her,
+for, as you will doubtless do, they thought
+Gracie's behavior not only unkind but also
+unjust.</p>
+
+<p>For, although such scenes as this were
+becoming quite too frequent in consequence
+of Gracie's ever increasing vanity and conceit,
+she generally was ready enough to proclaim
+the cause of offence; but now she was not
+only "hateful," as Lily called it, but "mysterious"
+also, and would give Fanny no opportunity
+of explaining the supposed grievance.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Fanny went home both unhappy and vexed,&mdash;Gracie
+still carrying matters with a high
+hand and refusing even to walk on the same
+side of the street with her&mdash;and finding her
+cousin there, as was quite natural, she told her
+of the trouble with Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>Had Fanny not been too much disturbed to
+pay much attention to Hattie's manner, she
+might have seen that she looked uncomfortable
+when she told her story, fidgeting and coloring
+and having so little to say that Fanny
+thought her wanting in sympathy. But it was
+not until the next day that she discovered that
+Hattie was really the cause of the difficulty
+with Gracie. By that time she had heard
+that she was to sail for Europe in a few days,
+and this made her more unwilling than ever to
+be on bad terms with her young friend.</p>
+
+<p>Meeting Gracie in the street, the poor little
+grieved heart overflowed, and rushing up to
+her, Fanny exclaimed, "Oh, Gracie! don't
+be cross with me any more, for I'm going to
+Europe, and I expect I'll be drowned in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+steamer, and then you'll be sorry you did not
+make up with me."</p>
+
+<p>This affecting prospect somewhat mollified
+Gracie's vexation; but still she answered in a
+tone of strong resentment,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then; and why did you say hateful
+things about me to Hattie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," said Fanny, who had so little intention
+of making unkind remarks about
+Gracie that she had really forgotten her conversation
+with Hattie. "I didn't. I never
+said a thing about you."</p>
+
+<p>"Hattie said you did," answered Gracie;
+"she says you told her I thought myself very
+wonderful, but I was not; and that 'most all
+the girls were better scholars than me."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," said Fanny indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>"And she says," continued Gracie, "that
+you said 'cause I thought myself good did not
+make me good, and that Nellie wrote better
+compositions than I did. And she says"&mdash;this
+was plainly the first and worst count in
+Gracie's eyes&mdash;"she says you said no one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+could help knowing I was conceited and stuck
+up."</p>
+
+<p>This last speech suddenly recalled to Fanny's
+mind what she <em>had</em> said, and she was dismayed;
+nor could she see how she was to explain it to
+Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>She was fond of Gracie, who, when her self-conceit
+did not come in her way, was really a
+pleasant and lovable child; and, oh! how she
+did wish she had never allowed Hattie to lead
+her into that conversation about her schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>She colored violently and exclaimed,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I did say that, but I did not say it
+in that way, Gracie. I don't quite know how
+it was, but it did not seem so bad as that when
+I said it. And Hattie asked me, so I couldn't
+help saying what I thought; but it wasn't of
+my own accord and&mdash;and&mdash;well, you know,
+Gracie, most all of us do think you think
+a good deal of yourself&mdash;but&mdash;oh, dear! it
+was too mean for Hattie to go and tell you;
+and somehow I suppose she's made you think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+it was worse than it was. 'Cause I didn't
+mean to say any thing hateful about you; but
+Hattie asked such a lot of questions, and I
+never thought she'd go and tell; and I'm
+going away, and I expect I'll never come back,
+and, oh, dear, it's too mean!"</p>
+
+<p>All this Fanny poured forth in a very distressed
+and excited manner, finishing by a
+burst of tears.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, it was indeed "too mean," and Gracie
+felt that Fanny had been shabbily treated.
+She had listened to Hattie's tell-tale report
+with a half-ashamed feeling, knowing that
+Fanny could never have thought that her
+words would be repeated; and, although anger
+and mortification had taken a strong hold
+upon her heart, she could not help seeing that
+Fanny had more cause of complaint than
+she had.</p>
+
+<p>So she put her arm about Fanny's neck, and,
+with what she considered magnanimous forgiveness,
+told her not to cry any more and she
+would "stop being mad."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And when they talked the matter over and
+Fanny recalled what she <em>had</em> said, both of
+Gracie and of the other children in the class,
+it could not but be seen that Hattie had exaggerated
+as well as "told tales," so making
+mischief and bringing discord between the two
+little friends. And had Fanny been revengeful,
+or too proud to overlook Gracie's unkindness
+and beg her to tell her what had come between
+them the trouble might have been lasting, and
+they have parted for a long time with bitterness
+and resentment rankling in their breasts.</p>
+
+<p>But now there was peace between them once
+more, though Gracie did still secretly feel
+some vexation at Fanny for even allowing that
+she could be wrong, and took great credit to
+herself for being so forgiving and generous.</p>
+
+<p>And now you will not wonder that Fanny
+did not feel disposed to think Hattie "so very
+nice," although she, far more generous and
+charitable than her cousin, would not tell tales
+and prejudice the minds of her future schoolmates
+against her.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But Gracie hardly thought the less of
+Hattie for what she had learned of her; for
+she always liked any one who admired her,
+and this Hattie professed to do; perhaps she
+really did so, for, as I have said, Gracie was
+a pleasant child, and very clever in many
+things.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 69px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image8.jpg" width="69" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 214px;">
+<a name="excursion" id="excursion"><img src="images/image9.jpg" width="214" height="125" alt="birds" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>II.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>AN EXCURSION.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-a.jpg"
+width="53" height="50" alt="a" />
+</div><p><span class="dropletter">"A</span> LARGE omnibus stood before the door
+of Miss Ashton's house, and had been
+waiting there some minutes. This
+was on a street where a line of omnibuses ran,
+and every now and then some would-be passenger
+made for the door of this one, when the
+driver would turn and say something which
+plainly disappointed him of his ride, at least
+in this particular stage.</p>
+
+<p>If such an individual chanced to glance up
+at the windows of Miss Ashton's house, he
+saw there a row of little faces in each of the
+parlor windows; and these same faces brimming
+over with smiles and dimples at the sight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+of his discomfiture, and the consciousness that
+this omnibus had been chartered for their
+especial pleasure and convenience, and that no
+mere passer-by had any right or title therein.</p>
+
+<p>Some people smiled in return to the happy
+little group, and nodded good-naturedly, as if
+to say,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! it is all right, and we are glad
+you are going to enjoy yourselves, and hope
+you will have a very pleasant time;" but one
+or two looked cross, frowning and shaking their
+heads or shoulders in a displeased manner,
+and as if they had no sympathy with any simple
+pleasure or frolic.</p>
+
+<p>Upon each and all of these did the little
+observers pass remarks, according to what they
+believed to be their deserts.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at that man," said Belle Powers,
+"how very displeased he looks. Just as cross
+as any thing, because the driver wouldn't let
+him go in our stage."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe he likes children," said
+Bessie Bradford.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No," said her sister Maggie, "I think he
+cannot be one of the happy kind the Bible
+speaks about, that have their 'quivers full of
+them,' for which he is to be pitied, and we
+need not be very severe with him."</p>
+
+<p>"But can't people like children and be glad
+they are going to have a nice time, even if they
+don't have any in their own homes?" asked
+Carrie Ransom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course," said Maggie, always ready
+to find excuses for others; "but then probably
+that gentleman never had nice times himself
+when he was a child, and so he does not
+know how to appreciate them."</p>
+
+<p>Maggie's long words and elegant sentences
+always settled any doubtful point, and the
+"cross gentleman," who still stood upon the
+sidewalk waiting for the next passing omnibus,
+was now regarded with eyes of sympathy and
+pity, which were quite lost upon him as he
+scolded and grumbled at the "fuss that was
+made nowadays about children's pleasures."</p>
+
+<p>"Chartered for a troop of youngsters," he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+growled forth to another gentleman, who coming
+up also opened the door of the omnibus,
+and would have jumped in.</p>
+
+<p>Upon which the new-comer drew back,
+looked up smilingly at the windows of the
+house, nodded and waved his hand, receiving
+in return blushes and smiles for himself, with
+an answering nod or two from some of the
+least shy of the group.</p>
+
+<p>"He's glad," said Lily; "he is a nice gentleman,
+and I expect he has lots of little children
+who love him dearly, and that he tries to give
+them a good time."</p>
+
+<p>"And so is made happy himself," said
+Maggie. "There comes Patrick with the
+shawls and wraps."</p>
+
+<p>And now came Miss Ashton and a couple of
+lady friends, who had volunteered to go with
+her and help take care of the little party,
+bound for an excursion and ramble in the
+Central Park; and the signal being given for
+the merry group to take their places in the
+stage, forth they all fluttered, like so many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>
+birds; and amid much laughing and chattering
+stowed themselves away in the roomy conveyance.</p>
+
+<p>They were all seated, and Patrick, Mrs.
+Bradford's man, who had been <em>lent</em> for the
+occasion, was mounting to his seat beside the
+driver, when another gentleman, coming up
+with a quick step, pulled open the door of the
+omnibus, and popped in. He was plainly
+shortsighted, and did not see how matters stood
+until he was fairly inside and looking about
+for a seat.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps, indeed, his hearing taught him
+first, for he might almost have thought himself
+in a nest of sparrows with all that chirping
+and fluttering. A smothered laugh or two
+also broke forth as he entered, and he speedily
+saw that he had no right to a place there.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! private, I see. Beg your pardon,
+ladies," he said good-naturedly, and jumped
+out again, turning with a bow, and "I wish
+you a pleasant time." Then, as he caught
+sight of a roguish face and a pair of dancing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+eyes watching him with a look of recognition,
+he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Lily, my dear! Glad to see you.
+Bound for a frolic? I hope you may enjoy
+yourself; and your schoolmates as well. A
+merry day to you, birdies." With which he
+banged the door and watched them off.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's that gentleman, Lily?" asked more
+than one voice.</p>
+
+<p>"He is Kitty Raymond's father. His name
+is Mr. Raymond," answered Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"He is a nice, pleasant gentleman, is he
+not?" asked Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes, he is very pleasant," said Lily,
+"but then he is an awful liar."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh-h-h! ah! ah!" broke from one and another
+of the children at Lily's very plain speaking;
+and Miss Ashton said reprovingly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Lily, my child! what a very improper expression
+for you to use, and of one so much
+older than yourself, too."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," said Lily, "it is true, Miss
+Ashton. I know he tells the most dreadful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+untrue stories, and that does make him a liar,
+I know. If children say what is very untrue,
+people say it is a lie; and when grown-ups
+say what is not true to children I don't see
+why they are not liars all the same. And Mr.
+Raymond don't tell little stories what you
+would call <em>fibs</em>, either, but real big, true <em>lies</em>,
+what Tom calls whoppers. So, though he is
+pleasant and good-natured, I don't think he is
+so very nice; and I'm glad he is not my papa."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton hardly knew what to say, for if
+Lily's accusations were true,&mdash;and the child
+was not apt to accuse any one wrongfully,&mdash;her
+reasoning was quite just, and it was plainly
+to be seen that in some way her sense of right
+and truth had been grievously offended. But
+still she did not wish to have her speak in such
+an improper way, and she was about to say
+so again, when Lily broke forth once more
+with,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Ashton, I'll tell you, and you can
+just judge for yourself. The other day I was
+spending the afternoon with Kitty, and her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+little brother wanted to go down stairs with
+us, and his papa did not want him to go; so he
+told him that the big black man in the closet
+in the hall would catch him and put him up the
+chimney. And it <em>was a lie</em>! I say it was a
+real, true lie," persisted Lily, who was apt to
+be emphatic in her choice of words, "for Mr.
+Raymond knew there was no black man there,
+and he just made it up."</p>
+
+<p>"Was the little boy frightened?" asked
+Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, as frightened as any thing, and he
+really believes there is a black man in that
+closet; and Willie Raymond, who is six years
+old, will not go past that closet without some
+big person. And I did feel not very brave
+myself when I went past it," confessed Lily,
+"for all I knew there was no black man there&mdash;and
+if there was, he wouldn't hurt me, the
+poor, old fellow&mdash;and knew it was just a&mdash;well,
+if Miss Ashton says so, I'll call it a <em>fib</em>,
+but I shall <em>think</em> it was a lie."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton and the other ladies could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+hardly help smiling at Lily's tone; and the
+former felt that the child was so far right that
+she could scarcely reprove her again for her
+indignant attack upon this too common form
+of deceit.</p>
+
+<p>"And Mr. Raymond went and winked at me,
+just as if he thought <em>I</em> thought it was funny,"
+pursued Lily; "but I thought it was only horrid,
+and I didn't smile a bit, but looked back at him
+very solemn. No, I don't like him, and I'm
+not going to."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't like him because you can't respect
+him," said Bessie with solemn gravity.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I just don't," answered Lily; "and
+I'm not going to go and have a respect for a
+person who tells&mdash;who says what is not
+true, not if they are as big and as old as a
+mountain."</p>
+
+<p>Lily's resolution was received with general
+approval; but now, at her suggestion, the subject
+was changed. There was enough to talk
+about without taking any unpleasant thing;
+and how those little tongues did go!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was a mild, lovely day in the early spring,
+uncommonly warm for the season,&mdash;just the
+day for an excursion. Modest crocuses, lovely
+hyacinths and gay tulips were in bloom; the
+willows were just clothing themselves in their
+first tender green, and every stream and spring
+rippled and sparkled and sang as if it were
+rejoicing in its new life and liberty.</p>
+
+<p>The park was fairly alive with children, who,
+like our little party, seemed determined to enjoy
+this bright, spring day to the utmost; but perhaps
+none were so gleeful and merry as our
+young friends.</p>
+
+<p>The windows of the omnibus were open, and
+the little girls had all scrambled upon their
+knees that they might the better see what was
+without; and many a grave countenance was
+won to smiles by the sight of the bright, joyous
+faces as they rolled past, and the merry peals
+of laughter which every now and then broke
+forth from the cumbrous vehicle. And they
+scattered not only smiles and bright looks
+wherever they went, but other good things also.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mabel Walton, who considered it almost impossible
+to enjoy oneself without a quantity of
+candies and sugar-plums on hand, had been
+furnished by her over-indulgent mother with a
+large supply of these delicacies; nor were most
+of the others without their share; so that Miss
+Ashton looked with some dismay upon the
+treasures which were displayed by one and
+another, fearing that her little flock might surfeit
+themselves with too many sweets before
+the day was over.</p>
+
+<p>However, her mind was soon relieved, at
+least in a measure. For Mabel having doled
+out a handful of sugar-plums to each of her
+companions, Bessie Bradford called out as the
+carriage rolled slowly up a hilly part of the
+road,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! see that little girl; what a nice face
+she has. But she looks so pale and sorry. I
+wish I had some pennies for her; but I will
+give her some of my sugar-plums. Perhaps
+she don't have many."</p>
+
+<p>Poor child! she looked as if she had not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+many loaves of bread, as she ran by the side
+of the omnibus, holding up her thin hand. A
+pale, sorrowful little face it was that looked up
+into those, so rosy and happy, above it; pinched,
+careworn, and old above its years, with that
+look so often seen in the faces of the children
+of the poor. Yet, in spite of her extreme
+poverty, she was not very ragged or very
+dirty; and as little Bessie had said, she
+had "a nice face," an open, straightforward
+look, a gentle expression, and a clear, honest
+eye.</p>
+
+<p>As she saw Bessie's hand outstretched, her
+face brightened, and as the little girl dropped
+two or three sugar-plums, she stooped hastily to
+pick them up; but when she raised her head
+again, the old weary look had come back, deepened
+now by disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the driver whipped up his horses
+and the omnibus rolled on faster, leaving the
+child looking sadly after it, and making no
+attempt to pick up the sugar-plums now thrown
+out freely by all the little girls.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why! she looks as if she didn't like
+sugar-plums," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Impossible!" said Maggie. "There never
+could be a person so wanting in sense as not
+to like sugar-plums."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe that man who lived in a tub did
+not," said Lily. "Maggie, I was very much
+interested in that man when you wrote to me
+about him, and I meant to ask you a little
+more about him, but I did not think he could
+be a <em>wise</em> man. What was his name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Diogenes," said Maggie; "and the
+reason they called the old cross-patch a wise
+man was because wise men were very scarce
+in those days. They only had seven in all
+that country; but when you are as far as I am
+in Parley's History you will learn all about
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what did make that little girl
+look so sorry," said Bessie, unable to forget
+the look of disappointment so plainly visible
+on the child's face.</p>
+
+<p>"I think, darling," said Miss Ashton, "that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+she expected pennies when she saw you were
+about to throw something out, and so was not
+satisfied with the candies. There was something
+interesting and sweet in her face."</p>
+
+<p>"Here are some more poor children," said
+Bessie; "let's drop some sugar-plums to them
+and see if they care about them."</p>
+
+<p>There could be no doubt as to the approbation
+of these new recipients of the bounty of
+our little friends. At first it was difficult to
+tell whether the pleasure was most enjoyed by
+those within the omnibus who scattered with
+liberal hand, or by the outsiders who gathered
+the harvest; but as the enthusiasm of these
+last drew new claimants, and all waxed more
+and more clamorous, it soon became an annoyance,
+and Miss Ashton was obliged to put a
+stop to the shower, which had already received
+a check, as some of the younger children were
+becoming frightened.</p>
+
+<p>But Patrick and the driver were forced to
+threaten the obstreperous crowd, and even to
+call for the aid of a policeman before they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+could be scattered, so that this diversion did
+not end so agreeably.</p>
+
+<p>There was one thing gained, however, in
+Miss Ashton's opinion; and this was that the
+greater part of the sugar-plums had been disposed
+of, without hurt to her young charge.</p>
+
+<p>Not that she objected to sugar-plums altogether.
+Do not think, my little readers, that
+she was, as Maggie would have said, so "wanting
+in sense," as that; but she had been rather
+appalled by the sight of the numerous tempting
+looking parcels that were produced, to say
+nothing of Mabel's over-abundant supply.</p>
+
+<p>Our gay party made the round of the park,
+stopping for a while at any place of interest,
+and now and then alighting if they were
+so inclined. They hung for some time
+about the paddock where the deer are kept,
+putting their little hands through the palings
+and trying to tempt the pretty, gentle creatures
+to come nearer. But the deer were not to be
+persuaded and although they watched the
+children with their mild, soft eyes in a very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
+amiable manner, they held aloof and would
+not condescend to a closer acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>The swans were less timid, and, as the children
+flocked down to the border of the lake
+with their hands full of crackers and bread,
+came swimming up, arching their graceful
+necks, and looking eagerly for the bits with
+which they were speedily treated. It was
+enchanting to see them so friendly, and to
+have them feed from one's very hand.</p>
+
+<p>The old gray arsenal, with its collection of
+wild animals, was not to be visited until after
+they had taken their lunch. As they passed
+the Casino on their way up through the park,
+Patrick had been left there to make all ready
+for them; and now they drove back and
+alighted. Pleasant and mild though the day
+was, the ground was still too cold and the air
+too fresh to permit of lunching out of doors;
+and, although the children entreated that they
+might be permitted to do so, Miss Ashton was
+too wise to yield.</p>
+
+<p>The lunch was not quite ready when they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+reached the Casino, and the children were
+permitted to wander around and amuse themselves
+as they pleased for a few moments, provided
+they did not lose sight of the house, or
+go beyond call.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie, Lily, and Belle had strolled a short
+distance away together, and had disappeared
+from the view of Maggie, Nellie, and Dora, who
+stood at the head of a short flight of stone
+steps leading up to the Casino. They had but
+gone around the other side of the hedge, however,
+and could not be far off.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Lily and Belle came flying back
+with frightened faces, and rushed breathless
+and panting to where the other children stood.</p>
+
+<p>Then Belle turned, and exclaimed,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where's Bessie? Didn't Bessie come?"</p>
+
+<p>No Bessie was to be seen, certainly; and
+Maggie, noticing the startled faces of the other
+children, took alarm at once for her little sister,
+and started forward, crying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where is she? What has happened?
+Where's my Bessie?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Before Belle or Lily could speak, Hattie
+darted from behind the hedge, laughing and
+mischievous; and, pointing her finger at the
+crimson faces of the two little ones, cried
+triumphantly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! didn't I take you in? Didn't I give
+you a fright, though?"</p>
+
+<p>"What is it? Where's Bessie?" said Maggie
+again.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie sat down upon the lower step, and
+doubling herself over and rocking back and
+forth, said between paroxysms of laughter,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! Bessie is round there talking to
+the old fellow. She's all right. Didn't I play
+you two geese a nice trick, though? How you
+did run! I didn't think you could be so taken
+in. Oh, what fun!"</p>
+
+<p>"What!" exclaimed Lily, indignation taking
+the place of her alarm, "were you tricking
+us? Didn't he try to take your hair? Hattie,
+Hattie! you mean, mean girl! And you told
+us a real wicked story, too. How dare you do
+it?" And Lily stamped her foot at Hattie, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+a real passion at the trick which had been
+played upon her.</p>
+
+<p>The effect was different upon Belle. She
+was a sensitive little thing, easily overcome
+by any undue excitement; and, throwing herself
+upon Maggie, she burst into a violent fit
+of sobbing and crying.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton and her friends heard and came
+to inquire into the trouble; and Hattie was
+now rather frightened herself as she saw the
+effect of her foolish deceit.</p>
+
+<p>Lily indignantly told the story, which
+amounted to this. It was a well-known fact,
+and had unfortunately come to the ears of our
+little girls, that some man had lately attacked
+several children, and suddenly severed the hair
+from their heads, making off as fast as possible
+after he had done so. He did this for the
+sake of the hair, which he probably sold; but
+he was, of course, a bad man and a thief, and
+the children all felt much dread of him.</p>
+
+<p>So when Hattie had come flying up to Bessie,
+Belle, and Lily, without any hat, and seemingly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+in a state of the wildest excitement, and
+had told them, with every appearance of truth
+and of being herself excessively frightened,
+that "that old man there" had snatched off
+her hat and tried to cut her hair, they had
+readily believed her&mdash;as an old man was
+really there&mdash;and had turned about and run
+away in great alarm. They had been terrified
+half out of their senses; and now here was
+Hattie confessing&mdash;yes, glorying, till Miss
+Ashton came&mdash;that she had "tricked" them,
+that she was "only in fun," it was all "a
+joke."</p>
+
+<p>But her triumph was speedily brought to an
+end, when Miss Ashton saw Belle's state, and
+heard how it had been brought about. She
+sternly reprimanded Hattie, and bade her go
+into the house, and remain there.</p>
+
+<p>But where was Bessie?</p>
+
+<p>The other children declared that "an old
+man was really there;" and, in spite of Hattie's
+confession that she had only been joking,
+Maggie's mind was filled with visions of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+little sister's sunny curls in the hands of a
+ruffian; and away she flew in search of her,
+quite regardless of any supposed risk to her
+own wealth of dark, waving ringlets.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 83px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image10.jpg" width="83" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 223px;">
+<a name="grandfather" id="grandfather"><img src="images/image11.jpg" width="223" height="125" alt="sheep" />
+</a></div>
+
+
+<h2>III.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>JESSIE AND HER GRANDFATHER.</em></big></p>
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-w.jpg"
+width="51" height="50" alt="w" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">W</span>HERE was Bessie?</p>
+
+<p>When Lily and Belle turned to run
+from the figure which Hattie pointed
+out as that of the man who attacked her, she
+started with them, quite as much alarmed as
+the other two; and, if they thought about it
+at all, they imagined she was close behind them.
+But she had gone only a few steps when she
+heard a voice, a weak voice, calling after herself
+and her companions, and saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be afraid, little girls; don't run away,
+little ladies. Couldn't ye stop a minute to
+help an old man?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Something in the tones touched the tender
+little heart of Bessie; and she checked her
+steps, ready to start again, however, on the
+shortest notice, and looked back at the old
+man.</p>
+
+<p>A very old man he seemed, and a very
+feeble old man, scarcely able, if he had the
+will, to run after active little girls, or to do
+them any harm. His hair was very white,
+and his face pinched and thin; but he looked
+kind and gentle, as Bessie saw, even from the
+distance at which she stood; and her fears
+died away as she looked at him.</p>
+
+<p>The old man sat upon a bank; and Bessie
+stood hesitating and watching him, trying to
+make up her mind to go and ask if he was in
+trouble. She saw that he had dropped his
+stick, which had rolled away, and lay on the
+ground just beyond his reach.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you do an old man a kindness, and
+give him his stick, little Miss?" he called to
+her, pointing at the same time to the cane.
+"Why did ye all run that way? I wouldn't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+hurt a hair of your heads, more than I would
+of my own Jessie's."</p>
+
+<p>This reference to the "hair on their heads"
+was rather unfortunate, for it startled Bessie
+again, and brought back the cause for alarm.
+Was the old man really in trouble, and unable
+to reach his stick? she thought, or was this
+only a trap to catch her, and deprive her of
+her curls?</p>
+
+<p>So she stood still, hesitating; and the old
+man, as if in despair of receiving any help from
+her, tried to raise himself a little, and stretched
+out his trembling hand towards the stick. But
+it was useless; it lay too far; he could not
+rise without its aid, and he sank back again,
+looking more helpless and feeble than before.
+This was too much for Bessie. She could not
+bear to see suffering and not try to relieve it;
+and it seemed to her that it would be cruel and
+wicked not to lend a helping hand to this poor
+old creature.</p>
+
+<p>"Please, dear Father in heaven, not to let
+him hurt me," she whispered softly to herself;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+and then walked slowly towards the old man,
+her little heart beating painfully, it must be
+confessed, in spite of her petition, and the
+trust that it would be heard.</p>
+
+<p>Keeping at as great a distance as it would
+allow, she stooped for the stick, and held it out
+at arm's length to the owner.</p>
+
+<p>"Now may He that blesses the cup of cold
+water given in His name reward you," said the
+old man, as he took it from the timid little
+hand; "but why are you frightened at me,
+dear, and why did the other little ones run as
+if they were scared half out of their lives?
+When you passed all in the big stage, laughing
+and so gay, it put a warmth into my heart
+that hasn't been there for many a day, and I
+b'lieve it was your own loving, little face that
+smiled back at me as I waved my hat to
+you for a blessing on your joy. Why, I
+wouldn't hurt a living thing; least of all, little
+girls that always mind me of my Jessie.
+Though it's different enough that you are from
+her, my poor lamb," he added in a lower tone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+which Bessie could not have heard had she not
+now drawn nearer to him.</p>
+
+<p>For with the first words of the old man's
+speech, all fear had vanished from her mind.
+He had called down a blessing on her in a
+name which she knew and loved, and she
+could not be afraid of him longer. Besides,
+now that she looked at him more closely and
+with unprejudiced eyes, she recognized him,
+and remembered how, as he said, when the
+stage had passed him with its merry load, he
+had taken off his hat and feebly cheered and
+waved to them as they went by.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you try to cut off little girls' hair?"
+she could not help asking, in spite of her
+new confidence.</p>
+
+<p>"I?" answered the old man surprised; "and
+why would I do that? Ah! I see. Did you
+take me for <em>that</em> fellow? My little lady, they
+have him fast in jail, as he deserves; but how did
+you ever think I would do a thing like that?"</p>
+
+<p>"A little girl said you tried to cut hers,"
+answered the child.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then that little girl slandered an old man
+who had never harmed her," he said gravely.
+"I understand; she's frightened you for her
+own fun, or whatever it may be. Well, I'm
+up now,"&mdash;he had slowly and painfully raised
+himself by the help of his cane,&mdash;"and I'd
+better be moving away, or the sight of me
+after that may spoil your pleasure. It was hard
+in her to turn you against one who would never
+have harmed you; but you're a sensible little
+lady, and a kind, and you'll never be the worse
+for doing a good turn to an old man."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't go away," said Bessie, "the other
+children won't be afraid of you when I tell
+them Hattie&mdash;was&mdash;was&mdash;mistaken." Bessie
+feared that Hattie's tale was more than a
+mistake, but she would not accuse her until
+she was sure. "They won't want you to go
+away, poor, lame man."</p>
+
+<p>"Jessie stays so long," he answered, looking
+about him helplessly. "She sat me here
+to rest a while, and I think she can't know
+how long she's been gone."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Before Bessie could speak again, around the
+hedge came Maggie, who stopped short in
+amazement at seeing her sister standing talking
+sociably to the dreaded old man. And
+with her curls all safe!</p>
+
+<p>Maggie could hardly believe her own eyes.
+She went forward more slowly, till Bessie
+called to her,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"O Maggie, dear! this old man wouldn't
+hurt us, or cut our hair for any thing. He
+likes little girls, and it made him feel badly
+because we ran away from him, and he is going
+away now 'cause he thinks we don't like him.
+Come and tell him not to."</p>
+
+<p>Timid Maggie, feeling very doubtful, but
+determined to share her sister's risk, whatever
+that might be&mdash;she had almost forgotten that
+Hattie had confessed she only wanted to trick
+them all&mdash;drew still nearer, and taking
+Bessie's hand, gazed up at the old man with
+eyes in which pity and sympathy began to
+struggle with her former fear. He looked so
+poor and feeble and helpless, so little like
+doing harm to any one.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And now came Dora and Gracie, who had
+followed Maggie in search of Bessie; and as
+the little group gathered about the old man,
+Bessie said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your Jessie? Can we call her to
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't tell, little Miss," he answered.
+"I've been sitting here more than an hour, I
+take it. Jessie was so eager about her parrot
+that she has maybe forgotten how long she's
+been away. Ah! there she comes now."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, a child came running towards
+them, but seeing the group about her grandfather,
+paused in amazement at a short distance.</p>
+
+<p>It was the very same little girl to whom
+they had thrown sugar-plums but an hour
+since, and who had looked so disappointed.
+The children recognized her immediately.</p>
+
+<p>"Why! that's the little girl who was not
+pleased with our sugar-plums," said Bessie.
+"Is that your Jessie?"</p>
+
+<p>The old man beckoned to her, and she came
+forward.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"This is my Jessie, Miss," he answered,
+"and a good girl she is too. I don't know
+what her old grandfather would do without
+her. She's given up the dearest thing she had
+for me, bless her!"</p>
+
+<p>Jessie was now standing beside her grandfather,
+blushing and hanging her head at the
+notice thus drawn upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"What was that?" asked Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"Her parrot, Miss. A splendid parrot that
+her father, who's now dead and gone, brought
+her from beyond the seas. You'd think he
+was a human creature 'most, to hear him talk,
+and she loved him next to her old grandfather;
+but she parted with him for my sake."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you like him?" asked Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, Miss. I was 'most as fond of
+the bird as she was herself; but it wasn't to be
+helped. You see I was sick so long, and the
+doctor bid me take a medicine that cost a
+deal of money, to drive the pain out of my
+bones; and how were we to get it when we'd
+not enough to buy bread from day to day, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+to pay the rent that was due? So she sold her
+bird, for I can't do a hand's turn of work just
+yet."</p>
+
+<p>"That was good of her," said Gracie; "did
+she get all the money she wanted for him?"</p>
+
+<p>"More than we expected, Miss, for the man
+that keeps the house here," pointing to the
+Casino, "gave her ten dollars for him. And
+he lets her see him every day, and says when
+the summer is over she may have him back
+for eight dollars if she can raise it. For Poll
+draws people to the refreshment place, you
+see, with his funny ways, and his wonderful
+talk, and the keeper thinks he'll get two dollars
+worth out of him before the summer is
+over. But, Jessie 'll never raise all that
+money, though I have put by my pride, and let
+her ask charity here of the folks in the Park."</p>
+
+<p>"And I don't feel that I ought to take it for
+that, either," said Jessie, as soon as the talkative
+old man paused for breath, and let her have
+a chance to speak, "'cause grandfather needs so
+many things, and the rent will be falling due<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+before long again, so I must save up for straws
+and ribbon."</p>
+
+<p>"For what?" asked Bessie, while at the
+same moment Dora said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you find some work and earn
+money that way?"</p>
+
+<p>"For straws and ribbon, Miss," said Jessie,
+answering Bessie's question first; then turning
+to Dora, she added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I would work, Miss, and I do, when I have
+the things. I make little baskets and catchalls,
+and allumette holders of ribbon and straw
+and beads, and I sell them wherever I can;
+but the stock was all gone long ago, and I've
+no more to begin on."</p>
+
+<p>"But," said Dora, "if people give you
+money, why don't you take that to buy your
+materials?"</p>
+
+<p>Jessie shook her head sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"It has taken every cent that's been given
+to me to buy just bread enough for me and
+grandfather to eat, Miss," she said; "there
+was nothing to spare for any thing else, and any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+way it is an uncertain thing, the selling of the
+baskets, till the weather is pleasant and warm,
+and people like to stop. Now, you see, is the
+time for me to be making them ready; but
+there's no use in thinking about it, and as for
+Poll,"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Jessie's sigh and filling eyes told of the
+despair with which she thought of the recovery
+of her pet.</p>
+
+<p>"I have some money in my charity-box at
+home," said Maggie eagerly; "I'll give you
+some to buy straws and ribbon. I have no
+money with me, but Miss Ashton will lend me
+some for such a good purpose, I know, and I'll
+pay her as soon as we go home. I'll run and
+ask her."</p>
+
+<p>But there was no need, for there was
+Miss Ashton come in search of her stray lambs,
+and in two minutes she had heard the story.</p>
+
+<p>Heard it, but scarcely understood it, for that
+was difficult with one and another putting in a
+word, patching it out in various bits; to say
+nothing of the circumstance that our little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+girls themselves scarcely understood what they
+were talking about.</p>
+
+<p>Jessie and her grandfather&mdash;who had nothing
+to say now that the lady had come, and who
+stood close to one another, the old man holding
+his hat in his hand and leaning on his stick&mdash;were
+somewhat confused themselves by the chatter
+and flutter of the eager little talkers; and
+when Miss Ashton turned to the latter and
+began to inquire into his story, his usual flow
+of words seemed to have failed him.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton spoke to Jessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Grandfather was just telling the little
+ladies about my Polly, ma'am," she said
+modestly. "If they'd like to see him he's in
+the house there. And if you'd like to have
+him show off he'll talk better for me than for
+any one else, and I'll go and coax him."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! can we go and see him?" said Bessie;
+and Jessie once more saying, yes, and that she
+would go with them, the little girls ran off,
+while Miss Ashton remained to hear the old
+man's story.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was a sad, but by no means an uncommon
+one. Jessie's mother had died when she was
+a baby. Her father, who was mate on a sailing-vessel,
+had been drowned at sea about two
+years ago. Until his death, his wages,
+together with what the old man made at stone-cutting,
+had supported them all in comfort.
+And even after that, the grandfather and the
+child had continued to keep along on what the
+former earned. Jessie, who was twelve years
+old, had been to school pretty steadily till a
+year ago, could "read and write and do up
+sums," and had also learned to sew.</p>
+
+<p>But about that time the grandfather had
+taken a heavy cold, from being thoroughly wet
+with rain while at his work; and, neglecting to
+change his clothes, it had settled in all his
+joints, and a long and painful rheumatic illness
+followed. All the last summer he had lain
+bound hand and foot, the pretty trifles which
+Jessie had learned to make the sole support
+of the two. But with the winter the sale of her
+little wares had fallen off, poverty and suffering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+had increased upon them, and they had gone
+from bad to worse, till, as he had told the little
+girls, Jessie had been forced to sell her beloved
+parrot to keep a roof above their heads, and
+to buy the medicine so much needed for her
+grandfather. They had some help from the
+church at which they attended, but that was
+little. And now that it was warmer weather,
+and Jessie could begin to sell her wares, she
+had no money to buy materials, and he had
+consented that she should ask charity of
+passers-by, and so gain a few shillings to begin
+her trade.</p>
+
+<p>They lived over there in a sad, tumble-down
+place, the old man said, "and he never thought
+to bring his Jessie to that; but the Lord had
+His own ways, and when He saw fit, He could
+take them out of this trouble."</p>
+
+<p>The story was told with a straightforward
+simplicity, and a natural pathos which went
+far to convince Miss Ashton that it must be
+true; but she took down the name and address
+of the clergyman of whom the old man spoke.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+This gentleman lived in one of the streets
+bordering on the Park, and Miss Ashton resolved
+to see him and hear his report before
+she left for home. If these poor people were
+really in such need, and deserving of help, she
+could not let them suffer longer than was necessary.</p>
+
+<p>She told old Malcolm&mdash;for that he said was
+his name&mdash;that he did not do well to rest
+upon the bank. The ground, she said, was not
+yet warm enough for his aching bones.</p>
+
+<p>But he answered that it was far better than
+the damp, cold shanty where he and Jessie had
+lived for the last two months, for here on a
+bright day he had the sunshine, and the fresh,
+clear air, and little of either of these ever
+found their way into the miserable cabin.</p>
+
+<p>Malcolm's language and manner, as well as
+those of his grand-daughter, showed that he
+had indeed been used to "better days;" and
+he seemed so patient and uncomplaining that
+Miss Ashton felt much interested in him,
+and anxious to do something for his relief.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She bade him come farther on, and find a
+seat upon a pleasant, sunny bench, where she
+would furnish him and Jessie with some food;
+but when she said this, he told her some of the
+little ones of her party were afraid of him,
+and he did not wish to trouble them.</p>
+
+<p>He looked troubled himself when he said
+this; and Miss Ashton had to tell him that
+one of her young scholars had been so foolish
+and wrong as to tell a falsehood&mdash;she could
+call it nothing less&mdash;to frighten the others;
+but that they all knew the truth now, and would
+be afraid of him no longer.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 158px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image12.jpg" width="158" height="50" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;">
+<a name="parrot" id="parrot"><img src="images/image13.jpg" width="225" height="125" alt="Bird nest and birds" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>IV.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>THE PARROT.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-m.jpg"
+width="49" height="50" alt="m" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">M</span>EANWHILE the children were amusing
+themselves with the parrot. The
+whole flock had followed Jessie to
+make his acquaintance, Maggie having called
+the others to join them; and even the still sobbing
+Belle forgot her troubles in this new
+object of interest.</p>
+
+<p>The bird proved to be in a most amiable
+and sociable humor; and, to the great delight
+of his former little mistress, exhibited himself
+in a most gratifying manner.</p>
+
+<p>His cage was placed before a little stand
+just outside of a window opening upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+verandah; and when the children first saw
+him he was swinging head downwards from
+one of the bars, hanging by one claw, and appearing
+to take no notice of any thing until
+Jessie called to him.</p>
+
+<p>Then he put out the other claw, and swung
+himself upright; immediately commencing a
+kind of dance upon his perch, as if in an
+ecstacy, and calling out,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Jessie! Jessie! pretty Jessie, good Jessie."</p>
+
+<p>"Good Polly," said Jessie, while the children
+gathered around in great delight. "How
+are you, Polly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Polly pretty well; Polly all right," answered
+the bird.</p>
+
+<p>The little girls were astonished, as indeed
+were the ladies who had accompanied them.
+Not one among the group but had often seen
+parrots who would repeat certain set phrases,
+but this bird actually answered questions, and
+as if he understood them too.</p>
+
+<p>"What does Polly want?" asked Jessie, delighted
+at the sensation her pet was producing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Polly want a bit of sugar," answered the
+bird.</p>
+
+<p>Jessie put her hand into her pocket, and
+produced one of the sugar-plums the children
+had thrown to her, and held it up before the
+parrot's greedy eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Dance a jig then, and sing a song, Polly,"
+she said.</p>
+
+<p>Polly forthwith commenced a kind of seesaw
+on his perch, swaying his body back and
+forth, balancing himself first on one foot, then
+on the other, in a measured sort of way which
+he probably supposed to be dancing. At any
+rate, his audience were contented to accept it
+as such, and he met with continued applause,
+until suddenly bringing his gyrations to
+a close he screamed in a loud, discordant
+voice,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sugar!"</p>
+
+<p>"Sing then," said Jessie.</p>
+
+<p>In a sharp, cracked, but very distinct voice,
+and with some resemblance to a tune, the parrot
+began,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Mary had a little lamb,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Its fleece was white as snow,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And everywhere that"&mdash;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Here he came to an abrupt close, eying the
+sugar-plum wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Sing it," said Jessie; and he began again.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Mary had a little lamb,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Its fleece was white as snow,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And everywhere that Mary went,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">The lamb&mdash;sugar&mdash;sugar&mdash;sugar,"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>screamed the creature, amid peals of laughter
+from the children, who now begged that he
+might have the coveted reward, which Jessie
+accordingly gave him.</p>
+
+<p>"He knows it all," she said; "but I can
+hardly ever make him sing it through."</p>
+
+<p>Poll took the sugar-plum gingerly in one
+claw, and sat nibbling at it till it was all gone,
+while the children crowded around him, admiring
+his gay, bright-colored feathers, and
+expressing their wonder at his accomplishments
+and sense.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you must show off some more,"
+said Jessie, when the bird had disposed of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+his feast. "Polly, where is the naughty
+child?"</p>
+
+<p>To the intense delight of the children, Poll
+began to scream and cry exactly like a passionate
+child, after which he laughed and chuckled
+with satisfaction at his own performances,
+then crowed like a rooster, baa-ed like a nanny-goat,
+barked like a dog, and mewed like a cat.
+After all this he took up intelligent conversation
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"Polly's a pr-r-r-etty bird; Polly's a good
+bird; Polly's a wise bird," he screamed, in all
+of which his little hearers entirely agreed.</p>
+
+<p>"Who do you love, Polly?" asked Jessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Polly love Jessie; Jessie a good girl," was
+the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's your master, Polly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Bob Malcolm gone to sea. Good-bye,
+good-bye, good-bye," screamed the parrot.</p>
+
+<p>"Sing a song of"&mdash;began Jessie, and the
+parrot took up the strain.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Sing a song of sixpence,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">A pocket full of rye"&mdash;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>
+<p>Here he came to a stop, nor could he be
+coaxed to finish the couplet, though Jessie
+assured the audience that he could, if he chose,
+sing the first four lines of the old song all
+through.</p>
+
+<p>However, he condescended to repeat some
+of his former performances. But it would
+take too long to tell all the feats of this remarkable
+bird; and you must not think that these
+I have related are quite impossible, for I have
+seen a parrot who could do all that is here
+described, and more too. The children were
+so interested and amused that they could
+scarcely be persuaded to leave him when
+Patrick announced that their lunch was ready;
+and Jessie, who was bidden by Miss Ashton to
+join her grandfather and share the meal provided
+for him, was begged to keep within call,
+so that they might return to the entertainment
+when they had finished their lunch.</p>
+
+<p>While this was going on, Miss Ashton told
+the story she had heard from old Malcolm, and
+said that she was so much interested in him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+and his grandchild, that she would go after
+lunch and see the clergyman, while the little
+girls amused themselves for a while under the
+care of the other ladies. She carried out this
+purpose, and went on her kind errand, followed
+by many a hope that she would find the story
+all correct.</p>
+
+<p>But when the children went back to the
+parrot they were disappointed, for he proved
+cross or tired or in a less sociable mood than
+he had been before, and he very rudely turned
+his back upon them, and would utter no words
+save,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Hold your tongue! Hold your tongue!"
+every time any one spoke to him. So, finding
+this neither polite nor amusing, the company
+left him and scattered themselves in search of
+other entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>"How sober you look, Maggie; what are
+you thinking about?" asked Hattie Leroy,
+coming up to where Maggie Bradford stood
+leaning upon a stone railing.</p>
+
+<p>Maggie looked thoughtful, it may be, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+hardly sober, for her thoughts seemed pleasant
+ones, to judge by the light in her eye, and the
+half smile upon her lip.</p>
+
+<p>"I have an idea," said Maggie, "and I
+think it's a nice one, at least if we are allowed
+to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Maggie, "I don't care to have
+it talked about very much till we know if we
+can do it; but I was thinking it would be so
+nice if we could have a little fair, just
+ourselves, you know, the school-children and
+Bessie and me. I know some children who
+had a fair in their own house, and they made
+money enough to pay for a bed in St. Luke's
+Hospital for a poor, lame child; and I thought
+perhaps we could make enough to buy back
+Jessie's parrot for her; and to make a more
+comfortable home for them. We could make
+things for the fair, and ask our friends to help
+us. Mamma would make some for us, I know,
+and so will Aunt Annie, and, I think, Aunt
+Bessie and Aunt May."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Where could we have it?" asked Hattie,
+who seemed much interested.</p>
+
+<p>"In one of our own houses," said Maggie, "or,&mdash;that
+was another thought I had,&mdash;perhaps
+Miss Ashton would be so very good as to let us
+have it at her house. The piazza would be
+lovely for it; and she generally lets us have
+some party-ish kind of a thing when school
+breaks up. Last year we had a giving of
+prizes; and at Christmas we had a Christmas
+festival, and a queen both times."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Hattie, "and Gracie said it was
+shameful that you were queen both times.
+She thinks it was very selfish in you."</p>
+
+<p>Maggie colored violently.</p>
+
+<p>"The queen was chosen," she said, "and the
+girls chose me. I did not make myself queen."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Gracie did not like it one bit," said
+Hattie, "and she thinks you had no right to be
+queen when you did not go to the school the
+last time."</p>
+
+<p>Maggie was silent, but the gladness was
+gone from her face.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't it be too cold to have the fair on
+the piazza?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Not by the time we are ready," said Maggie.
+"You know it will take a good while to
+make enough things, and Miss Ashton does
+not close the school till the first of June. I
+heard her tell mamma so the other day. And
+by that time it will be quite warm and pleasant,
+and there will be plenty of flowers. I
+was thinking we could dress the piazza with
+wreaths and festoons and flags; and we could
+make some kind of a throne and canopy at one
+end. And there we could have the flower-table
+and the queen behind it, with some maids of
+honor to sell flowers."</p>
+
+<p>If Maggie imagined that Hattie would
+express any admiration or approval of her
+plan, she was mistaken. Hattie seemed interested,
+and asked a great many questions, as to
+how Maggie would arrange such and such
+matters, but she did not act as if she thought
+the "idea" very fine after all, and this was
+rather different from the way in which Maggie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+was accustomed to have her plans received.
+But she did not care for that; she was not a
+vain child, constantly seeking for admiration,
+and she was too full of her subject to pay much
+heed to Hattie's cool way of hearing this
+one.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to say much about it till I
+see if mamma approves," she said. "Then
+I'll ask Miss Ashton and tell all the children
+about it. There are Bessie and Lily beckoning
+to me; let us go and see what they want."</p>
+
+<p>And away she ran, intending to tell her
+sister and Belle and Lily of her plan on the
+first convenient opportunity; but not willing,
+as she had said, to make it public till she
+learned if it could be carried out. She did
+not yet feel as if she knew Hattie very well,
+and she was rather astonished at herself for
+having talked so freely to her; but the truth
+was, that Hattie had come upon her rather unawares,
+and asked her what she was thinking
+of, at the moment when she was turning her
+"idea" over in her mind, and she had told her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
+almost without reflection. Still she did not
+exactly regret having done so, and, after what
+she had said, never supposed that Hattie would
+mention what she had told her.</p>
+
+<p>Upright, honorable Maggie judged others by
+herself, and was entirely unsuspicious of evil.</p>
+
+<p>It would take too much space in this little
+book, and you would not care to have a
+particular description of all the various points
+of interest visited by our party throughout
+the day,&mdash;the Arsenal with its collection of
+wild beasts and monkeys; the great reservoir
+with its blue water, looking like a lake within
+walls, as indeed it is; the lovely Ramble
+through which they wandered for a long time,
+and many another pleasant spot. They are all
+familiar to many of you, and those to whom
+they are not, may make acquaintance with
+them some day.</p>
+
+<p>You may be sure that Miss Ashton did not
+leave old Malcolm and his grand-daughter
+without some remembrance of this day, for she
+was not only very sorry for them and felt that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>
+they were really in need of assistance, but she
+also knew that Jessie and her wonderful bird
+had added much to the entertainment of her
+little flock. She gave Jessie money enough to
+furnish herself with materials to begin her little
+trade again, and, leaving her address with her,
+bade her bring some of her pretty toys to her
+house when they should be made.</p>
+
+<p>They were all in the omnibus once more,
+and had started on their homeward way, all
+rather tired and quiet with the day's ramble,
+when what was Maggie's astonishment to hear
+Hattie say,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Ashton, Maggie and I have such a
+very nice plan. We thought we might have a
+fair, just us children, and ask our friends to
+help us; and then we could sell the things we
+made, or that were given to us, and so earn a
+good deal of money to help Jessie and her
+grandfather, and to buy back the parrot for
+her. And we might have it when the weather
+is warm and pleasant, just before school closes,
+so that we could have it out of doors; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+perhaps, Miss Ashton, you would not mind
+letting us hold it on your piazza and in the
+garden. And Jessie might make some of her
+pretty baskets and things for it, and we could
+sell them for her. We thought we could raise
+a good deal of money that way, for almost all
+our friends would be glad to come."</p>
+
+<p>It would be hard to tell whether indignation
+or surprise was uppermost in Maggie's mind,
+as she sat utterly speechless and confounded,
+while Hattie ran on thus, disclosing in this
+public manner the plans which she had said
+were to be kept secret until her own mamma
+and Miss Ashton had heard and approved of
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, here was Hattie not only doing this,
+but speaking as if she had been the inventor
+of the cherished "idea," and as if Maggie had
+only fallen in with it, perhaps helped it out a
+little.</p>
+
+<p>Maggie was too shy to speak out as many
+children would have done, and to say,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"That was my plan, Miss Ashton. I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+the first one to think of that;" and she
+sat with her color changing, and her eyes fixed
+wonderingly and reproachfully on Hattie as
+she spoke, feeling somehow as if she had been
+wronged, and yet not exactly seeing the way
+to right herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! that would be delightful," said Gracie.
+"Miss Ashton, do you think you could let us
+do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I might," said Miss Ashton. "That
+is not a bad idea, Hattie. I will talk to my
+mother about it and see what she thinks, and
+you may all tell your friends at home, and
+learn if they approve."</p>
+
+<p>"If we could have the fair on your piazza,"
+continued Hattie eagerly, "we could dress it
+up very prettily with wreaths and flowers, and
+we could make a kind of a bower at one end, and
+choose one of the girls for a queen, and let it
+be her throne-room, and there we could have
+the flower-table. Some of the children told
+me you always let them have a festival before
+vacation, Miss Ashton; and we might put it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+off till a little later, so that it would be warm
+and pleasant, and we should have plenty of
+flowers."</p>
+
+<p>There was not one of the children who did
+not raise her voice in favor of the new plan
+except Nellie Ransom, who sat opposite to
+Maggie, and who watched her changing face,
+and looked from her to Hattie with inquiring
+and rather suspicious looks.</p>
+
+<p>Lily clapped her hands, and almost sprang
+from her seat.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll begin to work for the fair this very
+evening!" she said. "No more of your putting
+off for me. I'll bring down mamma's
+ribbon-box and worsted-box, if she'll let me,
+and ask her what I can have, and to-morrow
+I'll ask her to let me make something."</p>
+
+<p>"And we'll ask mamma and Aunt Annie,
+won't we, Maggie?" said Bessie; "and
+Belle, we'll ask them for some things for you
+too."</p>
+
+<p>Bessie received no answer from Maggie, who,
+feeling as if the whole matter had been taken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+out of her hands, poor child, and as if she had
+been robbed of her property, dared not speak,
+lest she should burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>"I have a whole lot of money saved up,"
+said Lily, "and I'll take some of it to buy
+what I want to make pretty things, and keep
+the rest to spend at the fair."</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you to pay your missionary money
+to our box yet?" asked Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I haven't paid it yet," said Lily, "but
+I don't know if I will give a dollar this year.
+I've supported the heathen for two years now,
+and I think I'd like a little change of charity.
+Wouldn't you, Maggie?"</p>
+
+<p>Maggie only nodded assent, scarce knowing
+what question she was replying to.</p>
+
+<p>"Maggie," said Belle, "you don't seem
+very interested; why don't you talk about
+the fair and give us new ideas, as you 'most
+always do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Does something provoke you or trouble
+you, Maggie, dear?" asked Bessie, looking
+into her sister's perplexed face.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hattie," said Nellie suddenly, fixing her
+eyes searchingly on the little girl she addressed,
+"what put that idea of the fair into your
+head?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" answered Hattie in some confusion,
+"I&mdash;that is, we, Maggie and I, just thought
+it would be nice, and so we talked about it a
+little, and made up our minds to ask Miss
+Ashton about it."</p>
+
+<p>Quick-witted Lily caught Nellie's suspicion,
+and so did Bessie; and the former, who had
+worn an air of displeasure with Hattie ever since
+the affair of the morning, asked promptly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Who was the <em>first</em> to make up that idea,&mdash;the
+fair and the queen in the flower bower,
+and dressing the piazza and all? Who was it,
+I say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," answered Hattie reluctantly,
+"Maggie was the first to think about it, and
+we talked it over together and arranged it
+all."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it!" cried Lily triumphantly; "I just
+knew it was Maggie. It sounds just like her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+making up. Hattie," she added reproachfully,
+"you tried to make us think it was yours."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," said Hattie. "I never said so."</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't just <em>say</em> so," said Bessie
+solemnly, "but you tried to give that <em>depression</em>."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," pouted Hattie again; "and we
+did talk about it together, didn't we, Maggie?"</p>
+
+<p>Maggie only gave a faint smile by way of
+answer, for she felt that she could not honestly
+allow that Hattie had suggested one single
+idea; and still she was too generous to wish
+to blame her more than she could avoid.</p>
+
+<p>And for the second time that day was Hattie
+made to feel that her want of strict truthfulness
+had lowered her in the eyes of her young
+companions.</p>
+
+<p>"Umph!" said Lily severely; "appears to
+me, Miss Hattie"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>But she was not allowed to finish the intended
+reproach, for Miss Ashton, seeing symptoms
+of a quarrel, hastened to avert it, and
+gently bade Lily be quiet.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lily obeyed; but her eye still rested sternly
+upon Hattie, and the latter was forced to bear
+more than one disapproving gaze during the
+remainder of the drive home.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid," said Miss Ashton to her
+mother that evening, "that Hattie Leroy is by
+no means a truthful child;" and she told of
+the occurrences of the day, adding that it was
+not the first time she had noticed a want of
+openness and uprightness, little acted deceits,
+a keeping back of the whole truth, and even,
+now and then a deliberate falsehood; and
+more than all, a manner of repeating a thing
+which gave it a very different meaning from
+what the speaker intended, so often making
+mischief and discomfort.</p>
+
+<p>"That is bad, very bad," said Mrs. Ashton;
+"it may affect the other children."</p>
+
+<p>"I would rather hope that they may have a
+good influence on her," answered her daughter.
+"The standard of truth is so high in our
+school, thanks, I believe, to dear little Bessie
+Bradford, Maggie, Belle, and one or two others,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+that any departure from it is considered a very
+serious offence. Lily, with all her thoughtlessness
+and love of mischief, is strictly truthful;
+so are Dora and Nellie. Gracie is the only one
+for whom I fear, for, although I think she would
+be shocked at the idea of telling a deliberate
+untruth, her conceit and wish to be first are so
+great that they often lead her to exaggerate
+and give a false coloring to what she says of
+herself as compared with others."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 98px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image14.jpg" width="98" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 217px;">
+<a name="grandmamma" id="grandmamma"><img src="images/image15.jpg" width="217" height="125" alt="Bird in nest" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>V.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>GRANDMAMMA HOWARD.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-t.jpg"
+width="50" height="50" alt="t" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">T</span>HE proposal for the fair met with a
+pretty general approval from the
+parents and friends of the little girls,
+and they received many promises of help.</p>
+
+<p>"Aunt Annie" undertook to show Maggie,
+Bessie, and Belle how to make any pretty
+articles they might wish to undertake. Lily's
+mamma did the same for her, and none of the
+children were left entirely without assistance.</p>
+
+<p>When Jessie came to Miss Ashton with her
+pretty little wares, she was told what was proposed,
+and bidden to have as large a supply as
+possible, so that they might be offered for sale
+with the other articles; and the lady and some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+of her friends kindly bought so many of those
+already on hand that Jessie was furnished with
+the means of procuring her materials at once.</p>
+
+<p>The older class in Mrs. Ashton's room also
+entered with spirit into the affair, promising all
+the assistance that they could give, so that
+there was good prospect it would be a success.
+The time fixed was the first day of June, if
+the weather should be pleasant; if not, the
+first fair day after that.</p>
+
+<p>One morning Gracie Howard came to school
+in a state of great excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"My grandmamma," she said to the other
+children, "takes the greatest interest in our
+fair, and she is going to give us ever so many
+things for it. She told me to invite you all to
+come to her house this afternoon, and she has
+a whole lot of pieces of silk and ribbons, and
+worsteds and beads, and ever so many lovely
+things to divide among us. And what is better
+still, she says she would like each child to
+make some article expressly for her, and she
+will buy it."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, delightful!" "How kind! how nice!"
+"What a great help!" came from one and
+another of her little hearers.</p>
+
+<p>"And," continued Gracie, warming with
+her subject, "she wants some particular
+things. Two toilet sets of lace and muslin,
+one lined and trimmed with blue, the other
+with pink; and two mats for flower vases, to be
+exactly alike. I am going to do one of the
+mats, and grandmamma says she thinks the
+other one and both the toilet sets had better
+be made by some of us older children, because
+she thinks the little ones can scarcely do them.
+And she will give ten dollars for the mat that
+is worked the most nicely and evenly, and
+nine for the other; eight for the best toilet set,
+and seven for the second; and she will give
+us all the materials. Just think of that!
+Why, whoever has the best mat will earn more
+than the price of Jessie's parrot! I wanted
+grandmamma to say that one might have the
+buying of the parrot for her own part; but
+she said that would not be just to the rest who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+had a share in the fair; and that she had no
+right to say so, either. I don't see why, and
+I think she might have let me."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you don't know that you will have
+the nicest mat," said Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"See if I don't then," said Gracie. "I can
+work much better than any of you, I know."</p>
+
+<p>"If I didn't live in such a very glass house
+myself, I'd say <em>petticoat</em> to you," said Lily,
+who had lately shown a fancy for the use of
+proverbs, after the manner of Maggie Bradford.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie tossed her head, and put on the expression
+which children call, "turning up their
+noses."</p>
+
+<p>She knew very well what Lily meant, how
+not long since she had boasted of herself, and
+been so very sure that she would outdo all
+others, and how she had miserably failed in
+the end.</p>
+
+<p>But, in spite of this consciousness, she was
+not at all taken down by Lily's reminder, for
+she felt herself a person of more than usual
+consideration and importance that morning;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>
+not without more than ordinary reason, was
+thought by most of her companions, for it was
+really a fine thing to have such a munificent
+grandmamma, who was ready to do so much
+for the grand object at present in the minds
+of each and every one.</p>
+
+<p>It was true also, and well known in the
+school that Gracie did worsted work remarkably
+well and evenly for a little girl, and that
+there was more reason than common for her
+belief that she should outshine all the others.
+Still her constant boasting was never agreeable,
+and Lily always would set herself to combat it
+with all her might.</p>
+
+<p>"Are not Maggie and Bessie to try with us
+too?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," answered Gracie; "they are
+just as much in the fair as we are; and Maggie
+works so nicely."</p>
+
+<p>"Should think she did," said Lily; "better
+than <em>a-ny&mdash;child&mdash;in&mdash;the&mdash;whole&mdash;world</em>."</p>
+
+<p>The extreme deliberation with which this
+was said, made it very forcible, and gave the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>
+remark all the point which was intended.
+Woe to the person who, in Lily's hearing, ventured
+to deny that her particular friends, Maggie
+and Bessie Bradford, were not all that was
+wisest, best, and prettiest.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides," said Belle, "Bessie was the first
+to find out Jessie and her grandfather, so it
+seems as if it was very much her charity and
+Maggie's. Good-morning, dear Miss Ashton;"
+and little Belle flew to meet her teacher, whom
+she dearly loved, and began to tell her of
+this new and delightful arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>But she had hardly commenced when she
+checked herself, and saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"But it is Gracie's to tell about, and I expect
+she would like to," turned to her schoolmate,
+and allowed her, nothing loath, to take
+up the tale.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton approved, and readily consented
+to what was proposed; but she was sorry
+to see that, as usual, Gracie took the chief credit,
+and claimed the first place for herself in
+the new plan; seeming, as before, not to have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>
+the slightest doubt that her work would be the
+best, and bring the highest premium. However,
+she would say nothing now to damp the
+general pleasure and enthusiasm, but called
+her young flock to the business of the day
+without reproof or remonstrance.</p>
+
+<p>On the way home from school, Gracie
+called to invite Maggie and Bessie to her
+grandmamma's house that afternoon; and at
+the appointed hour the whole "committee," as
+Maggie called it, were assembled in the
+drawing-room of the kind old lady.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Mrs. Howard, "we will settle
+first who among you are to take these pieces
+of work. Gracie seemed to think that all who
+were able to work nicely would prefer worsted
+work, so I have here two pairs of mats, as well
+as the toilet sets; and you may decide for
+yourselves which you will take. As for the
+younger ones, I will leave it to them to choose
+the things they will make for me, as each one
+knows what she is best able to do."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie looked dismayed and displeased at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>
+the first part of her grandmother's speech;
+and, not daring to object aloud, she whispered
+to Hattie, who stood next her,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad! There grandmamma goes
+and gives three chances against me."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, you'll have the first,"
+answered Hattie; "you know you work better
+than any of the others."</p>
+
+<p>"How many of you," continued the old
+lady, "are able to do worsted work nicely?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can, grandmamma, <em>very</em> nicely," said
+Gracie promptly, while the others, more modest
+and shy, looked from one to another.</p>
+
+<p>"Maggie Bradford works very nicely,
+ma'am," said Nellie Ransom.</p>
+
+<p>"And so do you too, my dear, if I'm not
+mistaken," said Mrs. Howard. "Would you
+like to do one of the mats?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you please, ma'am," said Nellie, and
+stepping up, Mrs. Howard gave her her choice
+among the mats.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! you have made the same choice as
+Gracie," said the old lady. "Well, we shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>
+see who will do the best. Gracie, take the
+mat, my dear. Now for the other pair.
+Maggie, will you have one?"</p>
+
+<p>But Maggie held back a little; and at length,
+with many blushes said, that she would prefer
+to take one of the toilet sets, because Bessie
+was anxious to help her, and she could do
+some of the easy sewing on the ruffles, but
+she could not do worsted work evenly enough
+to go with her own.</p>
+
+<p>Dora took one of the second pair of mats;
+and Hattie, who was next in age, and who
+knew very little about embroidering, chose the
+other toilet set, as she believed she could do
+that better than the mat.</p>
+
+<p>Maggie looked wishfully at this, and Mrs.
+Howard saw the look.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like to take this also, Maggie,
+dear?" she said. "You deserve some reward
+for being so unselfish, and if it is not too much
+for you to undertake, you are quite welcome to
+try it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, ma'am!" said Maggie with brightening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+eyes; "we have nearly seven weeks, you
+know, and with Bessie's help, and Aunt Annie
+to arrange all the work for me, I think I could
+do both. But I don't care for a reward, Mrs.
+Howard, for you know if Jessie and her grandfather
+have the money, it does not make much
+difference who does the most."</p>
+
+<p>"No, truly," said Mrs. Howard; "and it is
+not that you may strive to outdo one another
+that I make these offers, but only that you
+may all try your best to have the work well
+done. I am an old-fashioned woman, my
+dears, and I like to see every little girl brought
+up to use her needle properly, and to keep her
+things in order; so I say that it is not so
+much the beauty of the work, as the care
+and neatness with which it is done that I shall
+look at. Keep it from spot or stain, or from
+being frayed or rubbed; this you can all do
+with proper care."</p>
+
+<p>Then Mrs. Howard repeated how much she
+would give for each article, promising also
+once more to buy some pretty trifle from each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+of the younger children; and they all felt as
+if a large sum was already secure for Jessie
+and her grandfather.</p>
+
+<p>After this, the treasures of lace, muslin,
+ribbons, flowers, beads, and worsteds of all
+colors were displayed to their delighted eyes,
+and divided with as much fairness as was
+possible. Not a child but carried home with
+her a most precious package, already in the
+eyes of the little ones transformed into many
+an article of use and beauty for the benefit of
+old Malcolm and his grandchild. The fair was
+now the all-absorbing subject of thought and
+conversation among Miss Ashton's young
+scholars and their little friends, Maggie and
+Bessie Bradford; and a fit of uncommon
+industry had seized upon each and every one.</p>
+
+<p>But, one morning, only two days after the
+meeting of the young people at her house,
+Mrs. Howard was surprised to hear that
+Maggie Bradford wanted to see her; and
+ordering her to be shown in, the little girl
+entered, followed by her sister and nurse.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;">
+<img class="border" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;" src="images/image16.jpg" width="450" height="646" alt="Maggie Bradford visits Mrs. Howard with her sister and nurse." />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Maggie looked flushed and uncomfortable,
+and held a small parcel in her hand; but, after
+she had said good-morning to Mrs. Howard
+a fit of shyness came over her, and she could
+not tell her errand.</p>
+
+<p>So Bessie spoke for her.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Howard," said the little girl, who was
+herself rather confused, but who felt bound
+to help Maggie out of her trouble, "Maggie
+has come to bring you back the mat. She
+thinks it is rather better for her not to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you find you had undertaken too
+much, Maggie, my dear?" asked the old lady
+encouragingly.</p>
+
+<p>"N-n-no, ma'am," whispered Maggie, plucking
+up a few crumbs of courage as she heard
+the kind tone, "no, it was not that; but we
+thought I'd better bring it back to you."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must have some reason," said
+Mrs. Howard. "Can you not tell me what it
+is? Has Gracie been saying any thing unkind
+to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie has not said any thing to me about
+it, ma'am," said Maggie rather evasively.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Please don't ask us, Mrs. Howard," said
+Bessie gravely. "Maggie and I overturned our
+minds about it, and thought we'd better bring
+back the mat; but we do not want to tell
+tales."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall not ask," said Mrs. Howard;
+but from the very fact that Bessie had innocently
+begged that they might not be pressed
+to "tell tales," she felt that her suspicions
+were tolerably correct. Gracie's desire to be
+<em>first</em>, and the fear that others should excel, or
+even equal her, were becoming so great that
+they often blinded her to what was just and
+kind.</p>
+
+<p>"There are plenty of pretty things that we
+can make, Mrs. Howard," said Maggie, "and
+I would rather not do any thing that any one
+might think was not my share."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, dear, as you please," answered
+the old lady; "but since you do not choose to
+make this I shall not give it to any one else."</p>
+
+<p>When Maggie and Bessie had gone, the old
+lady put on her bonnet and went around to her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+son's house, where she found her little
+grand-daughter at home.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," she said, after a little talk,
+"Maggie Bradford came to see me just now,
+bringing back the mat which she was to have
+worked for the fair. Do you know any reason
+why she should have done so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no, grandmamma!" answered Gracie,
+turning her eyes upon her grandmother in unfeigned
+and unmistakable surprise, which left
+no doubt of the perfect truth of her answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Think," said the old lady, believing that
+she might have forgotten. "You know you
+were not pleased that I should give Maggie
+the two things to make for me; have you said
+any thing that could hurt her feelings, and show
+her that you were displeased?"</p>
+
+<p>"I never said one word to Maggie about
+the mat, grandmamma," said Gracie, "and I
+can't see how"&mdash;she paused, as if struck by
+some sudden thought, and coloring, added
+uneasily&mdash;"I did talk to Hattie about it,
+and I was rather provoked, because I did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+not see why Maggie should have a better
+chance than the rest to make so much for the
+fair. And&mdash;and&mdash;perhaps Hattie went and
+told Maggie; but it was real mean of her if
+she did; and besides there was nothing for
+Maggie to be so mad at, and make such a fuss
+about."</p>
+
+<p>"Maggie was not 'mad,' as you call it,
+Gracie; so far from it that she would say
+nothing to throw blame upon you or any one
+else," said her grandmother; "but it was plain
+that she had been vexed and hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said her mother who sat by, "it
+would be a sad thing if <em>you</em> should show yourself
+so wanting in feeling and gratitude as
+to say unkind things of Maggie, or to injure
+her in any way, especially in such a matter as
+this."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, mamma, and I'm sure I wouldn't,"
+said Gracie, with a little pout. "I am very
+fond of Maggie, and I wouldn't do a thing to
+her; but I did feel rather provoked about the
+mat, only I did not mean her to know it. I'm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>
+just going to ask Hattie if she told her what
+I said."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie was really uncomfortable. She
+remembered that she had in a moment of
+pettishness, made one or two remarks to Hattie
+which she would not have cared to make in
+Maggie's hearing; but she would not willingly
+have offended the latter. She knew very well
+to what her mother referred when she spoke
+of Maggie. How a year ago when a prize had
+been offered for composition by Miss Ashton's
+uncle, she and Maggie had been believed to
+stand far ahead of the rest; how her own
+composition, all ready for presentation, had been
+lost, and that through her own inordinate vanity;
+how Maggie and Bessie had found it, and
+like the honorable little girls they were, had
+brought it at once to her, although they believed
+that by so doing Maggie was deprived of all
+chance of the much wished-for prize. It was
+true that neither she nor Maggie had gained it,
+for it had fallen to Nellie Ransom; but that
+did not lessen, or should not have lessened,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+Gracie's gratitude to her little friend; and as
+her mother said, it ill became her to nurse any
+feeling of jealousy towards Maggie.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said her mother, "can you remember
+exactly what you said about Maggie?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, mamma," answered the child, looking
+thoughtful and a little troubled; "but it was
+not much, I think."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid," said Mrs. Howard, "that a
+very little sometimes becomes much in Hattie's
+keeping. I do not know that she really wishes
+to make mischief, but her love of talking and her
+want of strict truthfulness lead her to exaggerate,
+and also, I fear, to repeat many a thing
+with a very different meaning from that which
+the speaker intended. The more I see of her,
+the plainer does this become to me; and I fear,
+Gracie, that she is not a safe friend for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma," said Gracie, in a tone of some
+offence, "you'd never think that Hattie could
+make <em>me</em> learn to tell stories, do you? Why,
+I never told a falsehood in my life, and I'm
+sure I'd never think of doing such a thing."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I hope not, my child," said her
+mother, "but I fear temptation for you, Gracie;
+and I think Hattie encourages you in your
+great fault, your self-conceit and desire for
+admiration. And, although I do not think that
+you ever mean to be untruthful, my daughter,
+your idea of your own merits often leads you
+into exaggeration of these, and makes you
+unwilling to see them in others."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie pouted, and put on the expression she
+always wore if she were found fault with.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma," she said, "I think that is a very
+horrid character to give any one; and I am sure
+you need not think I ever could tell a falsehood
+or do any thing mean to any one."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not say you would, Gracie. I only
+want you to beware of temptation."</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't fall into temptation, no fear of
+that," said Gracie almost scornfully; not scorn
+of her mother, but of the idea that she was not
+quite able to take care of herself, and that she
+could be led into wrong-doing.</p>
+
+<p>"And I shall be obliged to say," continued<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+Mrs. Howard, "that I do not think it best for
+you to be so much with Hattie. She is doing
+you no good. I cannot keep you apart
+altogether, but you must not ask me to let
+you have her here so often, nor can I allow
+you to go to her house as much as you have
+done. When I see you have a more gentle
+and humble spirit, Gracie, and learning to
+stand by another strength than your own, I
+may not so much fear evil companionship for
+you; but this very belief that you cannot fall
+makes you all the more ready to do so."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie flounced out of the room in high
+displeasure, muttering to herself as she went
+upstairs that her mother always thought "every
+one better than me," and "it was very unjust,"
+and "just as if I could fall into the temptation
+of telling a story."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard sighed, and looked troubled,
+as she well might; and so did grandmamma, as
+they talked together on this subject, and
+considered what was best to be done with Gracie.
+Her overwhelming desire for admiration; her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>
+wish to be first in every thing; her self-conceit
+and impatience of reproof were day by day
+growing stronger and stronger, and overrunning
+all that was fair and lovely in her character.
+It was, as the mother had said, difficult to
+break off all intercourse between her and
+Hattie, although it was certain that the latter
+was exercising no good influence on Gracie;
+for the two families were intimate, and it was
+impossible, without giving offence, to keep the
+two children entirely apart. Moreover, they
+were schoolmates, and had grown really fond
+of one another, although Gracie was losing
+confidence in Hattie, as she could not but
+perceive that she had by no means a strict regard
+for truth.</p>
+
+<p>But little did Gracie dream that Hattie's
+influence or example could ever lead her astray
+in this way.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 115px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image17.jpg" width="115" height="50" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;">
+<a name="jealousy" id="jealousy"><img src="images/image18.jpg" width="230" height="125" alt="owl" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>VI.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>JEALOUSY.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-d.jpg"
+width="50" height="50" alt="d" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">D</span>AYS went by, and all was progressing
+famously for the fair; at least so
+thought the little workers. New offers
+of help came in; new articles were promised,
+and some even sent, early as it was, and these
+were committed to Miss Ashton's keeping until
+the appointed day&mdash;the first of June&mdash;should
+arrive. Mrs. Bradford promised all the ice-cream
+that should be needed for the refreshment
+table; Mrs. Howard the strawberries;
+another mamma offered jelly; two or three
+cake; Mr. Powers promised a quantity of
+French bonbons; and from all sides came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+offers of flowers. Mr. Stanton, the little
+Bradfords' "Uncle Ruthven," said he would
+furnish flags and banners enough to deck the
+piazza; and mammas, grandmammas, aunts,
+and cousins were coaxed and wheedled out of so
+many bright ribbons for the same purpose, that
+it might have been supposed that they were
+expected to go in grave colors for the remainder
+of their days.</p>
+
+<p>And if you had seen the doll that Miss
+Annie Stanton and her sister-in-law were
+dressing as a baby!</p>
+
+<p>If you had but seen that doll!</p>
+
+<p>With a face so sweet, and so like a "real
+live baby" that it almost startled one to come
+upon it unawares in some place where the real
+live baby could not have been found! such
+hands and feet! and oh, such a fitting out!
+Day by day the progress of that doll's wardrobe
+was watched with eager, delighted eyes
+by Maggie, Bessie, Belle, and Lily, who had
+more opportunities for this than the rest of the
+children. These last were, however, invited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+in every now and then, to see the wonder as it
+grew; and that doll became the great object
+of interest, in comparison with which the
+remainder of the fair arrangements were as
+nothing. Every thing that was dainty and
+pretty and cunning was furnished for the baby
+doll; not only clothes without number, but also
+a tasteful cradle lined and trimmed with blue
+silk, white muslin, and lace; and a baby basket,
+furnished completely with all that the most
+exacting infant could require. In short, this was
+plainly to be the grand attraction of the fair,
+at least in the eyes of the younger portion of
+its patrons, for the fame of the doll spread far
+and wide, and great was the curiosity of those
+who had never had the opportunity of witnessing
+its beauties.</p>
+
+<p>And the question arose and was eagerly
+discussed, who was to be the munificent
+purchaser? who, oh! who, the fortunate
+possessor? Papas and mammas were besieged
+with petitions and coaxings, but wisely declined
+making positive promises till the price of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>
+wonderful prize should be fixed, and the doll
+herself put up for sale. Money-jugs were
+broken, and "savings banks" emptied, that the
+contents might be counted over and over to
+ascertain if there was any possibility that they
+might reach the sum which would probably be
+required; allowances were saved up in the
+same hope.</p>
+
+<p>The only trouble about it was, that as Maggie
+Bradford said, "only one could have the doll,
+and so all the rest were doomed to disappointment,
+which made it a case in which it would
+be well if one man's meat were every other
+man's poison."</p>
+
+<p>Jessie and her grandfather were cared for in
+the meanwhile. Miss Ashton had interested
+several of her friends in them; the children
+had done the same with their parents; and Mr.
+Bradford, Mr. Norris, and one or two other
+gentlemen had been to see old Malcolm, and
+finding that there was little or no probability
+of his cure while he remained in the cold,
+damp shanty, where he had been living for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
+last few months, had furnished him with more
+comfortable lodging.</p>
+
+<p>Jessie's wares were also finding a good
+market, and every week she came down into
+the city with a number. Some of these she
+sold to such purchasers as came in her way,
+and whatever were left over she carried to
+Miss Ashton, and put in her hands for the
+fair.</p>
+
+<p>She was also making some particularly choice
+articles which she kept back for exhibition and
+sale on that occasion; and among them were
+half a dozen boxes of straw and bright-colored
+ribbons, with an initial letter woven in beads
+upon the top of each. There had been but
+four of them at first, bearing respectively an
+M, a B, a G, and a D, standing for Maggie,
+Bessie, Gracie, and Dora; for Jessie looked
+upon these as her first friends, because they had
+first become interested in her story. But Bessie
+having mentioned that Belle and Lily were
+"just like ourselves, and my sister and I would
+be pleased to buy boxes for them at the fair,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+Jessie completed two more with an L for Lily,
+and a B for Belle. There was a delightful
+amount of mystery respecting these boxes, for
+each one of the six knew what had been done
+for the other five; Jessie telling her in
+confidence, and leaving her with the suspicion that
+the same pleasure was in store for her. Not
+on any account would any one of them have
+spoken of this suspicion; oh dear, no! but was
+quite prepared to be very much surprised if a
+box bearing her initial should turn up at the
+fair.</p>
+
+<p>Maggie and Bessie owned a pretty little pony,
+the gift of their Uncle Ruthven; at least Fred
+said it was "Uncle Ruthven's present," but
+Mr. Stanton said it was Fred's. For, having
+offered Fred the choice of a present for himself
+as a reward for the pains he had taken to break
+himself of some troublesome faults, the generous
+brother asked for a pony for his little sisters.
+He and his brother Harry each owned
+one, and he wished Maggie and Bessie to enjoy
+the same pleasure. So Uncle Ruthven had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+bought the pony and equipped him, but he declared
+it was Fred's gift to the little girls, and
+I think he was about right.</p>
+
+<p>However that was, the pony had given no
+small amount of pleasure, and this was still
+farther increased when Belle's papa gave her
+one.</p>
+
+<p>It was a pretty sight to see two of the little
+girls on these ponies, escorted by Harry and
+Fred, and the whole party under the care of
+one of the papas, or Uncle Ruthven, or sometimes
+of old James, the coachman. Belle and
+Bessie rode as yet with a leading string to the
+pony's rein, but Maggie had grown to be a fearless
+little rider, and had no idea of being led.
+Lily would have been welcome to a ride now
+and then if she had chosen, but "the one
+thing in the world" which Lily feared was a
+horse, and she declined the most pressing offers
+of this nature.</p>
+
+<p>Now that the days were becoming so mild
+and pleasant, these rides took place quite
+frequently, and they were hardly looked forward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+to more eagerly by the children than they were
+by old Malcolm and Jessie, who delighted to
+see the little girls on horseback, and were
+always on the watch to meet them and receive
+a kind word.</p>
+
+<p>"I know who I think will have the best piece
+of work," said Lily, one day after school, when
+the little girls were discussing the arrangements
+for the fair as they prepared to go home.</p>
+
+<p>"Who?" asked Gracie quickly. "Maggie,
+I s'pose. You always think Maggie and Bessie
+do every thing better than anybody else."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, and so they do," answered Lily, unwilling
+to allow that her favorite playmates
+could be outdone in any thing by another,&mdash;"so
+they do; but it's not Maggie this time."</p>
+
+<p>"Who then?" asked Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie Ransom," said Lily. "Have you
+seen her mat?"</p>
+
+<p>No: none of the others had seen Nellie's
+mat; but now curiosity was all on tiptoe, and a
+general desire to see her work took possession
+of the class.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Bring all your works to-morrow, and let's
+see which is the best," said Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie's is, I know," said Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"If you have not seen the others you <em>don't</em>
+know," said Lily.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie whispered something to Gracie and
+laughed; but Gracie still wore the displeased
+look she had put on when Lily declared Nellie's
+work must be the best.</p>
+
+<p>For, during the whole of the last year, Gracie
+had been nourishing an intense and bitter jealousy
+of Nellie Ransom. As has been said
+before, Nellie was by no means as quick and
+brilliant a child as Gracie, but she was more
+persevering and industrious, and so made up
+for the lack of natural talent. She was the
+only child in the school who could keep up with
+Gracie in several studies, such as composition
+and arithmetic; and in all they learned these
+two generally stood in advance of the rest.</p>
+
+<p>And to outstrip Nellie, to be always the
+<em>first</em>, the <em>very first</em> was Gracie's great ambition.
+She believed herself to be by far the wiser and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+cleverer of the two, but she was anxious that
+every one else should acknowledge it also.</p>
+
+<p>A year ago, when Miss Ashton's uncle had
+offered a prize for the best composition,&mdash;the
+occasion to which Mrs. Howard had referred
+when warning her little daughter against jealousy
+of Maggie Bradford,&mdash;the chances had
+seemed to lie between Maggie and herself; but
+to the astonishment of every one, Nellie's
+composition had proved the most deserving, and
+taken the much-coveted prize.</p>
+
+<p>Since that time Gracie's wish to excel Nellie
+in all things had known no bounds, and it is
+really to be feared that she was rejoiced at
+heart when her painstaking and industrious
+little schoolmate missed in her lessons, or
+failed in any work she undertook.</p>
+
+<p>So now the fear that Nellie's mat should
+prove to be more neatly worked than her own
+took complete possession of her, for it was
+not only the desire to be first, but the desire to
+outstrip Nellie especially, that filled her heart
+and made her envious and jealous.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was agreed that Nellie, Gracie, and Dora
+should each bring her mat to school the next
+morning, so as to compare their work and see
+which was likely to bring the highest price.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly this was done, and the children
+all gathered early, anxious to decide on the
+respective merits of the three pieces of
+embroidery.</p>
+
+<p>All were well done, neatly and evenly
+worked; but there could be no doubt of it,
+even to Gracie's unwilling eyes,&mdash;Nellie Ransom's
+was somewhat the best. It was really
+astonishing for a child of her age. She was
+naturally handy with her needle, and had
+taken so much pains with this mat that it
+would have done credit to a much older person.
+The simple pattern was straight and even, and
+the stitches of the filling in lay in neat, regular
+rows, the worsted smooth and unfrayed,
+and not a speck or spot of any description to
+be seen upon the whole piece.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie's was very nearly a match for it;
+indeed, had the two pieces been looked at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
+separately it might have seemed that there was
+nothing to choose between them; but laid side
+by side and closely compared, Nellie's would
+certainly bear off the palm.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Nellie," said Dora, whose own work
+was by no means despicable, "how beautifully
+you have done it. I don't believe a grown-up
+lady could have worked it better. I know
+Mrs. Howard will say it's the best."</p>
+
+<p>Quiet Nellie colored and dimpled with pleasure.
+Praise was pleasant to her, as it is to
+all; but, although she would have been glad to
+have her work pronounced the best, it was
+with no overwhelming desire to outdo her companions.
+Nellie did her very best, but when
+another did better, she could be content with
+the feeling that it was not her own fault
+that she was excelled, and was ready to
+sympathize with her more fortunate classmate.</p>
+
+<p>"That will be priced ten dollars for certain
+and positive," said Lily, holding up the mat
+and regarding it with admiration. "It is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>
+lovely, Nellie. They are all very nice, 'specially
+Gracie's, but yours is the best."</p>
+
+<p>"It's not a bit better than Gracie's," said
+Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you encourage Gracie more than she
+deserves," said Lily admonishingly. "She's
+pretty nice, but don't you puff her up too much."</p>
+
+<p>"I know something about you," said Hattie
+teasingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, know away," answered Lily scornfully.
+"You're always knowing something
+about somebody; and you want me to ask you
+what you know about me; but I don't want
+to know, and I'm not going to have you
+say some of the girls said hateful things of me.
+Besides&mdash;oh! I forgot; I b'lieve I was rather
+<em>anti-politing</em>;" and Lily, who was about to say
+that Hattie always made things seem worse
+than they were, put a check upon her saucy
+little tongue and turned once more to Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>One might have thought that Lily had
+worked the mat herself to see her pride and
+satisfaction in it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Dora has done more on hers than Nellie
+and Gracie," said Belle. "Their two are
+pretty nearly the same. Let's see; Gracie
+has only two more rows done than Nellie; no,
+Nellie has two more done than Gracie&mdash;oh!&mdash;why&mdash;this
+is Gracie's, isn't it? I can hardly
+tell them apart, they are both so very nice."</p>
+
+<p>For, handing the mats about from one to
+another, the same mistake occurred more than
+once, Gracie's being taken for Nellie's or Nellie's
+for Gracie's, and they had to be held side
+by side before they could be distinguished.
+The children laughed and thought this rather
+funny; and it gave Gracie some hope that hers
+might be judged to be the best, after all. She
+would take more pains than ever.</p>
+
+<p>The thought of the mats and of outdoing
+Nellie was so busy with her that she did not
+give her usual attention to her lessons that
+morning; and, as the consequence, lost her
+place in the spelling-class, and was in a peevish
+humor for the rest of the day.</p>
+
+<p>Fresh cause of displeasure befell her at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
+close of school, when Miss Ashton said she
+thought it as well that the May Queen should
+be chosen soon.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! we want Maggie, of course," said
+Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"Maggie again?" said Miss Ashton, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes'm," said Belle. "Maggie is used to it,
+and she makes the prettiest queen, so we'd
+rather have her; wouldn't we, girls?"</p>
+
+<p>There was a general murmur of assent, save
+from two voices.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't we make some one else May
+Queen this year?" asked Hattie. "We might
+have Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"Hattie," said Lily, endeavoring to make her
+voice of reproof one of extreme mildness, "as
+you have not been so very long in the school, it
+would be better if you let the old inhabitants
+be the judges."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, anyhow, I don't see why Maggie
+always has to be May Queen, and when she don't
+go to the school either," said Gracie pouting,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>
+and leaning back against her desk with a
+discontented air, till, catching Miss Ashton's eye
+fixed sadly and reproachfully upon her, she
+hung her head and looked ashamed.</p>
+
+<p>"Be-cause," said Lily with emphasis, "she's
+the prettiest child of our acquaintance. Not
+all the prettiness of all the rest of us make
+up one-half Maggie's prettiness, and she's not
+one bit vain or stuck-up about it either; and if
+she and Bessie don't just belong to the school,
+they belong to us, and so it's just the same.
+Whoever wants Maggie, hold up their hand."</p>
+
+<p>Up went every hand at once, save those of
+Gracie and Hattie, and presently Gracie's followed
+the example of the others, though half
+unwillingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Lily triumphantly, "that's
+voted, and for ever after let him hold his peace."</p>
+
+<p>The last allusion was perhaps not exactly
+clear either to Lily or her hearers; but it was
+thought extremely fine, and as having clinched
+the matter without farther argument. Miss
+Ashton laughed, and asked if Lily and Belle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
+would undertake to let Maggie know that she
+was elected May Queen, which they readily
+promised to do.</p>
+
+<p>But the next morning these two little friends
+returned to school, and told their astonished
+and disappointed classmates that Maggie
+positively refused to be May Queen. Why they
+could not say, but all their persuasions had
+proved of no avail. Maggie was not to be
+"coaxed," and would give no reason for her
+refusal, though she had "seemed to feel awfully
+about it," Lily said, and had "cried about it"
+before they left. Bessie had been as much
+mystified as they were, and even Maggie's
+mamma, when appealed to, said that she knew
+of no reason why Maggie should decline the
+offered honor. Maggie, however, had said she
+would "tell mamma and Bessie," but she could
+tell no one else.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton, when informed of Maggie's refusal,
+said that she would call on her and see
+what could be done, and until then the matter
+might rest.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hattie," said Gracie, drawing her "intimate
+friend" into a corner during recess, "did
+you tell Maggie Bradford what I said about her
+being Queen twice?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;no," said Hattie, hesitating at first,
+but then uttering her denial boldly as she saw
+the frown gathering upon Gracie's brow.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie looked at her as if she only half believed
+her, for she was learning to doubt Hattie's
+word, and although she was greedy of
+her flattery, she could not help feeling that her
+chosen friend was not sincere.</p>
+
+<p>"You know you've told a good many things
+I did not mean you to," said Gracie, "and I
+wouldn't like not to be friends with Maggie, or
+to let her think I'm hateful."</p>
+
+<p>And Hattie declared over and over again
+that she had never said one word to Maggie on
+the subject.</p>
+
+<p>"I do feel badly about it," said Gracie
+remorsefully. "I wish I had never said I thought
+Maggie ought not to be May Queen. Maggie's
+been my friend this ever so long, since I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
+quite little; and I believe I had rather the girls
+chose her. I've a good mind to write her a
+note, and tell her I wish she would be Queen."</p>
+
+<p>All the other children had left the school-room
+to go down and play on the piazza, and
+Gracie and Hattie were alone together.</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't," said Hattie; "you are the one
+who ought to be May Queen, 'cause you are the
+smartest child in the school."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie believed this, and thought Hattie gave
+her no more than her due; still, although she
+liked to hear Hattie say it, the compliment did
+not turn her from her purpose.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 176px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image19.jpg" width="176" height="50" alt="leaves" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;">
+<a name="misfortune" id="misfortune"><img src="images/image20.jpg" width="225" height="125" alt="Sheep" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>VII.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>A MISFORTUNE.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-a.jpg"
+width="53" height="50" alt="a" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">A</span>S the two children talked, Gracie had
+been putting a few stitches in her
+mat.</p>
+
+<p>"I b'lieve I'll do it," she said. "I'll tell
+Maggie we <em>all</em> want her to be May Queen."</p>
+
+<p>"Then she'll know you've said something
+about it," said Hattie anxiously, feeling that
+this proceeding was likely to bring her into
+trouble.</p>
+
+<p>"No, she needn't," said Gracie; "perhaps
+she does think I don't want her to be, 'cause
+at Christmas she knew I was mad about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to beg her pardon?" asked
+Hattie.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No," said Gracie, with one of her scornful
+tosses of her head. "I think I see myself doing
+such a thing! But I can write her a little note,
+and tell her we are all sorry because she won't
+be May Queen, and beg her to change her mind.
+I might do as much as that for Maggie," she
+added to herself.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie tried to dissuade her no longer, and
+Gracie laid the mat down upon her desk,
+opened the lid, and took out a slip of paper and
+a pen. She dipped the pen in the ink, wrote,
+"My dear Maggie," at the top of the sheet,
+and then paused, biting the top of her pen.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't think what to say, or how to begin
+it," she said. "My dear Maggie, I am very
+sorry&mdash;no. I had better say <em>we</em>&mdash;we are
+very sorry that you&mdash;that you&mdash;oh, pshaw!
+I've a great mind not to do it"&mdash;here she
+dipped her pen in the ink again, and so
+carelessly that it came forth quite too full. "Oh,
+bother!" she exclaimed with increasing ill-humor;
+"look at this hateful pen;" and, forgetting
+the precious piece of work which lay so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>
+near at hand, she gave a careless fillip to the
+pen which spattered forth the ink.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie gave another impatient exclamation,
+and pushed away the paper, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't do it; if Maggie likes to be so
+foolish about nothing, she just can;" but she
+did not see the extent of the mischief she had
+done till Hattie said in a tone of great dismay,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"O Gracie! just see what you've done!"</p>
+
+<p>And there upon her beautiful mat was a
+great spot of ink.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie gave a horrified little cry, and, snatching
+up the mat, thoughtlessly sopped up the
+spot with her handkerchief, thereby spreading
+and smearing it till it grew to the size of a
+two-cent piece, and left an ugly blotch on the
+bright blue worsted.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall I do? oh! what shall I do?
+It's spoiled; it's quite spoiled!" she said despairingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it is; maybe it can be taken
+out," said Hattie, though she was almost as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>
+much startled as her little companion. "I'll
+bring some water, and we'll try to take it
+out."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," said Gracie; "I wish I had not
+touched it at all. We'll only make it worse;
+and I'll ask mamma to try as soon as I go
+home. Oh, dear, dear, dear! what shall I do?
+Grandmamma will surely say Nellie's is the
+best now. That hateful girl!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's a great shame if she does," said Hattie.
+"Nellie is always trying to get ahead of
+you; and she don't deserve it, and I don't
+think your grandmamma is fair to you. She
+ought to think her own grandchild's work is
+the best."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose Nellie will just be glad when she
+sees what has happened to me," said Gracie,
+whose jealous eyes could now see nothing that
+was good or fair in Nellie's conduct.</p>
+
+<p>Innocent, kind-hearted Nellie, who would not
+willingly harbor an unkind or unjust thought
+of another!</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't let her see it," she continued,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+hastily rolling up the mat and putting it into
+her desk, as she heard the other children coming.
+"Don't say a word about it, Hattie, not to
+any one."</p>
+
+<p>Hattie promised, really grieving herself for
+Gracie's misfortune, for she truly loved her,
+and was anxious that she should be the first.</p>
+
+<p>This was to be a black day for Gracie; but
+all through her own jealousy and pride.</p>
+
+<p>Her mind was so taken up with the remembrance
+of the defaced mat that she could not
+keep her thoughts upon her lessons; and,
+although she had known her history very well,
+her attention wandered so much that she
+answered incorrectly more than once.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing, however, that something had disturbed
+her, Miss Ashton made allowances, and
+gave her one or two opportunities to correct
+herself and bring her thoughts back to the
+task before her.</p>
+
+<p>But it was all in vain; Gracie had already lost
+her place in the spelling-class, and gone down
+below Dora Johnson and Laura Middleton;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+and now the fear of a fresh mortification, and of
+giving Nellie her place at the head of the history
+class added to her confusion, and she
+floundered more and more hopelessly. Nellie
+begged too that she might have still another
+chance, when at last Miss Ashton passed the
+question to her; but again Gracie failed and
+was obliged to yield her place.</p>
+
+<p>Angry, mortified, and jealous, Gracie showed
+such determined ill-temper towards her generous
+little classmate, that Miss Ashton was
+obliged to reprove her, but without effect.</p>
+
+<p>Again she called Gracie to order, and this
+time more severely.</p>
+
+<p>The angry and wilful child hesitated for
+one moment, then pride and passion burst all
+bounds, and she answered Miss Ashton with
+such insolence, such ungoverned and unjustifiable
+impertinence that the whole class stood
+aghast.</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's perfect stillness.
+Miss Ashton turned very pale, and laying her
+book down upon the table, covered her face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>
+with her hand, while the children looked from
+her to Gracie and back again, in utter dismay
+and astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>Then the stillness was broken by a piteous,
+"Oh, dear!" from poor little Belle, who finished
+with a burst of tears, and her example
+was followed by more than one of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton raised her head.</p>
+
+<p>"Go into the cloak-room, Grace," she said
+quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie was herself frightened at what she had
+done; but her pride and temper were still farther
+roused by the shocked and disapproving
+looks of her schoolmates, and she stood for an
+instant with determined stubbornness, while
+the words, "I won't," formed themselves upon
+her lips.</p>
+
+<p>But they were not uttered, for there was
+something in Miss Ashton's face which checked
+her; something which not one of the little flock
+had ever seen before; and when the lady
+repeated her words in the same calm tone,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Go into the cloak-room," Gracie turned
+away and obeyed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was with head held high, and scornful
+look, however, that she passed out, although
+bitter shame and regret were burning in the
+poor, foolish little heart. But she called up all
+her pride and jealousy to stifle the better feeling
+which urged her to run to her teacher, and, in
+the face of the whole school, confess her fault,
+and beg Miss Ashton's pardon for the insulting
+words she had spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"What will she do, I wonder," she said to
+herself; "will she tell mamma? What will
+mamma say, and papa too?" and, as the
+recollection of her parents' oft-repeated warnings
+against the pride and vanity which were her
+besetting sins came back to her mind, she could
+not but feel that this was the consequence of
+allowing them to gain such a hold upon her.</p>
+
+<p>She <em>felt</em> it, for conscience would make itself
+heard; but she would not acknowledge it even
+to herself, and drowned the reproving whisper
+with such thoughts as,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, why is Miss Ashton so unjust?
+She is always trying to make me miss and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+lose my place. She is always glad when any
+one goes above me. She never praises me as
+much as I deserve;" and such unjust and untrue
+accusations.</p>
+
+<p>It might be that Miss Ashton did not always
+bestow upon Gracie all the praise she would have
+given to another for a perfect lesson or good
+composition, for she did not think much praise
+good for her, as it only seemed to minister to
+Gracie's over-weening vanity. But only eyes
+that were wilfully blind and suspicious could
+find the slightest injustice or unkindness in her
+treatment of any one of her little scholars, and
+her gentleness and patience might have won
+gratitude from the most stubborn young heart.</p>
+
+<p>But Gracie would not listen to the promptings
+of her better spirit; and the recollection
+of the dismayed and averted looks of her
+schoolmates added fuel to the flame of her
+angry pride. Even the ever admiring Hattie
+had looked shocked at her outburst.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," she said again to herself.
+"It's only 'cause they know I am so much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
+cleverer than any of them, and they are jealous
+of me. That hateful Nellie! She was so
+proud to go above me."</p>
+
+<p>Wretched and unhappy, she spent the time
+in her solitude till the close of school, when
+the other children came into the cloak-room
+for their hats.</p>
+
+<p>No one said a word to her, for they had been
+forbidden to do so; and if they had occasion to
+speak to one another they did so in whispers,
+as if something terrible had happened, and a
+great awe had fallen upon them. She sat in a
+corner, sullen and defiant, trying to put on an
+appearance of the utmost indifference, but
+succeeding very poorly. She even tried to hum
+a tune, but something rose in her throat and
+choked her. She scarcely knew what to do;
+whether or no to rise, and take her hat, and go
+down as usual to find the nurse, who was probably
+waiting for her below; and while she sat
+hesitating, one and another of her young
+companions passed out, as if glad to hurry from
+her presence, and she was left once more alone.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She had just taken down her hat, when Miss
+Ashton came in, and, handing her a note, said
+gravely,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Give this to your mother, Gracie," and
+left her again.</p>
+
+<p>Ashamed and alarmed at the thought of
+what might follow when she should reach
+home, but with her pride and anger not one
+whit abated, Gracie went slowly on, giving
+short and snappish answers to the inquiries of
+her nurse, who plainly saw that something was
+wrong.</p>
+
+<p>But she dared not face her mother when she
+should hear of her misconduct; and when they
+entered the house, she thrust the note into the
+hand of the maid, bidding her give it to Mrs.
+Howard, and ran quickly up to her own little
+room.</p>
+
+<p>There she stayed, wondering and waiting.
+Five, ten, fifteen, twenty minutes, half an hour
+passed away, and still her mamma did not
+come.</p>
+
+<p>Was it possible? could she really hope that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
+the note had not been one of complaint of her
+conduct?</p>
+
+<p>No, that could never be; there was the bell
+for the children's early dinner. Well, she
+would go down and act as if nothing had
+happened. But could she with this uncertainty
+of how much or how little mamma knew?</p>
+
+<p>But there was mamma's step, and now Mrs.
+Howard entered the room. One half glance
+at her face and Gracie's eyes fell. It was
+enough to show her that her mother knew all.</p>
+
+<p>"Mean old thing!" she said to herself,
+meaning Miss Ashton. "She's gone and told,
+and now I s'pose I'll be punished."</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said her mother, "I suppose you
+scarcely need to be told what is in this note
+which Miss Ashton has sent me."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie stood with head erect, pouting lip,
+and defiant eyes, idly tossing back and forth
+the tassel of the window curtain with as much
+indifference as she could assume.</p>
+
+<p>"Has it come to this, my child," continued
+Mrs. Howard sorrowfully, "that you have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+allowed conceit and self-will to gain such a
+hold upon you, that you could wilfully and
+deliberately insult your teacher? I have been
+sure that you would fall into trouble, Gracie,
+for I knew that such foolish pride must sooner
+or later have a fall, but I could not have
+believed that you would be guilty of this.
+What did you say to Miss Ashton?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," said Gracie passionately,
+without directly answering her mother's question.
+"It was all true, every word of it. She's
+as hateful as she can be, and unjust and
+mean;" and Gracie went on, pouring forth a
+torrent of invective and reproach against Miss
+Ashton and Nellie Ransom, without paying the
+slightest heed to her mother's commands to be
+silent. It was the long pent-up feeling of
+jealousy and ill-will and pride, that she had
+been nourishing for months past, and which
+now burst all bounds and swept every thing
+before it.</p>
+
+<p>Respect, and even obedience towards her
+mother, reason, justice, and truth itself were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+totally lost sight of, as she poured forth
+accusation after accusation against the offenders,
+and upheld her own conduct in all she had done
+and said.</p>
+
+<p>"And you have said all this to Miss Ashton,
+perhaps?" said her mother sternly, when the
+angry child at last came to a pause.</p>
+
+<p>"It is true enough if I did," muttered Gracie
+again, though her passion was by this time
+beginning to cool down in a measure. "I'm
+sure I wish I never went to her hateful old
+school."</p>
+
+<p>"It is more than probable that Miss Ashton
+wishes so now; but I shall leave you to
+think over what you have said to me and to
+Miss Ashton, and to find out how much of it
+is true. One thing Miss Ashton desires,&mdash;that
+you do not return to her school till you are
+ready to acknowledge your fault, and to
+apologize for your impertinence. And until this
+is the case, you must remain in your room.
+Your meals will be sent to you, and I shall not
+allow your brothers and sisters to have any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+intercourse with you till you are ready to make
+such amends as you can. You may send for
+me when you have any thing to say to me. Oh,
+Gracie, Gracie!"</p>
+
+<p>With which words, spoken in a sad, despondent
+tone, Mrs. Howard went away, closing
+the door upon her stubborn, rebellious little
+daughter.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie stood where her mother had left her,
+not one whit softened or humbled; for now her
+angry pride began to accuse her mother also of
+injustice and partiality and unkindness.</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody in the world takes part against
+me," she said to herself; "but I don't care.
+Indeed, I won't beg Miss Ashton's pardon, not
+if I stay here a year. Mamma makes such a
+fuss about her being so kind and patient and
+all that. She's paid for teaching me, so it's
+nothing so wonderfully good. I hope I never
+will go back to the school where that hateful
+Nellie is."</p>
+
+<p>Soon the door opened, and the nurse appeared,
+bearing a tray on which was Gracie's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+dinner. She set it upon a table, placed a chair,
+and went away without a word to her.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," said Gracie once more, "no
+one need talk to me if they don't want to.
+I'm just as good as they are, and I'd just as
+lief stay here by myself."</p>
+
+<p>She sat down before the dinner-tray, trying
+to believe that she would "just as lief eat
+her dinner alone;" but she found it was not so
+agreeable after all. She wondered what they
+were doing downstairs; if the children were
+chattering as merrily as usual, or if her absence
+made any difference in the family enjoyment.
+She had little appetite, as may be supposed,
+and left the nicely served meal scarcely
+touched.</p>
+
+<p>But it must not be thought that she had any
+idea of yielding or acknowledging herself in
+the wrong. By and by she heard her brothers
+and sisters coming upstairs, then their voices
+in the nursery as they prattled to one another;
+and she knew that they were being made ready
+for their afternoon airing. Then tiny feet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+pattered along the hall, and little May's voice
+sounded through her closed door,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Am oo dood now, Dacie? We'm doin out,
+Dacie; am oo most dood? Pease don't be
+naughty dirl, Dacie," and the soft little hand
+tapped upon the panel as the baby voice pleaded.</p>
+
+<p>"Come away, darling. Gracie may come
+out when she is good and says she is sorry,"
+said mamma's voice; and Gracie knew that her
+mother had led the little pet away.</p>
+
+<p>But all this only seemed to harden her.
+May was such a darling, the sweetest and
+dearest of all her brothers and sisters, Gracie
+thought; and, although the sweet, coaxing voice
+had touched her, she only found in her mother's
+interference fresh cause of offence.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma tries to set even May against me,
+and I s'pose she's been telling all the children
+what I did," she thought; "but I don't care. I
+believe they'll grow tired of having me away
+before I am tired of staying here. There's
+plenty for me to do. I can read, and I'll work
+on my mat."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But here it suddenly flashed upon her that
+she had not brought her mat home with her.
+Being sent away in disgrace and not returning
+to the school-room before leaving, she had quite
+forgotten it, and it still lay there in her desk.
+And that stain upon it, too, which she had
+intended to ask her mother to take out if
+possible. Mamma would not feel like doing it for
+her now, and she could ask no favors from her.
+Not unless she repented and&mdash;and&mdash;apologized
+to Miss Ashton. And this last she
+would not do; no, never, never.</p>
+
+<p>She heard the children going downstairs,
+stood at the window and watched them get into
+the carriage and drive away with mamma, and
+began to wish that she were there too. And
+such a lovely afternoon, it was too bad to be
+shut up here. But still she never blamed
+herself for her imprisonment; no, mamma, Miss
+Ashton, Nellie, any one was in the wrong, but
+not her own wilful, stubborn little self. What
+was to be the end of this she did not know,
+but Gracie had no thought of yielding.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She whiled away the afternoon as she best
+could; but every thing seemed to have lost its
+zest. Her prettiest story-books had no interest;
+her dolls were "stupid" and poor company;
+even her stock of pretty materials for
+articles for the fair seemed less attractive
+than usual as she turned them over, and her
+work "would not go."</p>
+
+<p>This was the first time in her life that Gracie
+had ever been punished in such a manner; and
+apart from the disgrace, which she was
+determined not to feel, she was a child who was
+fond of society and did not know how to bear
+being deprived of it.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 99px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image21.jpg" width="99" height="75" alt="flowers" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 224px;">
+<a name="spider" id="spider"><img src="images/image22.jpg" width="224" height="125" alt="Bird nest with birds" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>VIII.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;">"<big><em>THE SPIDER AND THE FLY.</em></big>"</p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-i.jpg"
+width="51" height="50" alt="i" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">I</span>F Mrs. Howard had perhaps hoped
+that little May's pleading would
+have any softening effect on Gracie,
+she was mistaken. The message she had
+expected to receive on reaching home did not
+come to her. Nor did she hear a word from
+Gracie through the evening until the little
+girl's bed-time came. Then she sent word
+that the hour had come, still hoping and
+believing that the stubborn heart must relent,
+and that Gracie would feel that she could not
+go to rest unforgiven and without her mother's
+good-night kiss. But she was mistaken.
+Gracie received the message in sullen silence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>
+but obeyed and went to bed without one word
+of sorrow or repentance.</p>
+
+<p>It was the same in the morning. Gracie
+rose and was dressed; her breakfast was
+brought and eaten in solitude, as her dinner
+and supper had been yesterday; and still the
+nurse who waited upon her passed in and out,
+as it was necessary, and brought no word to
+comfort the sorrowing heart of her mother.</p>
+
+<p>School-time came, and Gracie knew that
+the children in her class would believe that
+her absence was caused by her misconduct of
+the previous day, as was indeed too true; but
+this only made her feel more and more proud
+and obstinate.</p>
+
+<p>The long, weary morning wore away, the
+solitary dinner was once more over, and again
+the house seemed so still and lonely, for mamma
+and the children had gone out again,
+and the servants were all downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>By and by Gracie heard a light, quick foot
+running up the stairs and coming towards her
+own door. The latch was turned and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+door softly opened,&mdash;Mrs. Howard had not
+locked her in, for she believed that she could
+trust Gracie and that she would not disobey
+so far as to leave the room she had been bidden
+to keep,&mdash;and Hattie's face peeped in.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie started, partly in astonishment,
+partly in dismay; for what must she do now?
+Mamma would not have allowed her to see
+Hattie, she knew, if she had been at home;
+and must she send her away? She was so
+glad to see some one, to be able to speak to
+some one.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie came in, closed the door behind her,
+and, running to Gracie, put her arm about her
+neck and kissed her, saying with much energy,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It's too mean, Gracie! it's the meanest
+thing I ever knew! It's a great shame!"</p>
+
+<p>There could be no doubt of her sympathy,
+of her belief that Gracie was in the right, or
+at least that she was not so very much to
+blame, and was undeservedly punished. For
+Hattie was really and truly very fond of
+Gracie, admired her and considered her very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>
+clever; and, although even she had been dismayed
+by Gracie's outburst yesterday, she was
+now disposed to treat it lightly, and to say that
+Gracie had been provoked. There was another
+reason, too, which induced Hattie to take part
+against Nellie Ransom, and to wish to put her
+in the wrong.</p>
+
+<p>"O Hattie!" said Gracie, "how did you
+come up here? Mamma wouldn't allow it, I
+know."</p>
+
+<p>Hattie laughed triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew that," she said, "for I came to the
+door a little while ago and the servant said
+you were up in your room, but he thought you
+could not see any one to-day, and he said every
+one else was out. But I said I had a message
+from school for you, and that you must have it
+this afternoon. So of course he thought it
+was from Miss Ashton, as I meant he should,
+and he let me come up."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma will be displeased," said Gracie;
+"you ought not, Hattie. I'm very glad to see
+you, but I must not let you stay."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'll only stay a few minutes," said Hattie,
+taking the seat which Gracie had not ventured
+to offer her. "I've something perfectly
+splendid to tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"Was everybody saying ugly things about
+me to-day, and talking as if I was as wicked
+as a murderer?" asked Gracie, more interested
+in the opinion others might hold of her than
+in Hattie's promised news.</p>
+
+<p>There had really been very little said on the
+matter; the offence was too serious and too
+shocking to Gracie's young companions to
+make it an agreeable subject of conversation;
+and, although there had been some wondering as
+to whether Gracie would ever be allowed to
+return to the school, but few unkind remarks
+had been made, and these were more in sorrow
+than in censure.</p>
+
+<p>And Hattie was too full of her errand and
+of the fear of being found on forbidden
+ground to make as good a story of that little as
+she might have chosen to do at another time.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, no, not much," she answered. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
+suppose that old Nellie, hateful thing, was glad
+enough."</p>
+
+<p>"Did she say so?" questioned Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Hattie; "she did not speak about
+it. Gracie, did Miss Ashton send word to
+your mother and ask her to punish you?"</p>
+
+<p>"She wrote to her about it, and I suppose
+mamma punished me of her own accord,"
+answered Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"How long is she going to keep you up
+here?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Till&mdash;till&mdash;I beg Miss Ashton's pardon,"
+said Gracie, her angry pride rising again at
+the thought; "and I <em>never</em> will do it, no, <em>never</em>,
+not if I stay here a year!"</p>
+
+<p>"But the fair," said Hattie; "you know the
+fair is in two weeks, and if you don't come out
+before that you'll miss all the fun."</p>
+
+<p>Now, apart from the interest which all the
+little girls took in the fair, Gracie had a strong
+desire, as usual, to play some very prominent
+part therein. As we know, she had wished to
+be Queen, and had been vexed because Maggie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>
+Bradford had been chosen again; but, although
+she could not have this coveted honor, she still
+hoped and intended to make herself very conspicuous
+there.</p>
+
+<p>It was true that the thought of the fair and
+all that concerned it had been much in her
+mind, even during her imprisonment; but it had
+not occurred to her that her resolution of never,
+never apologizing to Miss Ashton, "even if she
+stayed shut up for a whole year," would scarcely
+agree with her appearance at the festival.</p>
+
+<p>She sat as if confounded at Hattie's words.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd do it if I were you," continued the
+latter, seeing the effect she had produced.
+"It's a great shame that you have to, but then
+you <em>will</em> have to, you know; and I'd do it and
+have it over. If you're going to fret and fuss
+here about it, you'll feel a great deal worse at
+last when you come to do it."</p>
+
+<p>Hattie's advice on this subject was certainly
+good in itself, though she did not put
+it before Gracie in a right light.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Ashton is so unjust and so awfully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>
+partial to Nellie," pouted Gracie, although her
+resolution was beginning to waver a little for
+the first time.</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," said Hattie; "but she can't
+make other people think Nellie is the smartest
+child. Every one knows you are, Gracie, even
+if they won't say so."</p>
+
+<p>"I can learn three lessons while Nellie
+learns one; but Miss Ashton is always praising
+her and never praises me," was Gracie's
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," said Hattie again. "Nellie&mdash;oh,
+I can't bear that girl!&mdash;sets up to be
+so wonderfully good, and Miss Ashton always
+believes whatever she says, and makes such
+a fuss about her; but you can just <em>say</em> you
+beg Miss Ashton's pardon, and have it over.
+The rest of the class will have every thing
+their own way if you don't come out pretty
+soon and have your word about the fair; and
+there's your mat, too, you know, Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"I forgot my mat yesterday when I came
+away," said Gracie. "I wish you had known<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
+it and then you could have brought it to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>Again Hattie gave a triumphant little laugh,
+and putting her hand into her pocket drew
+out the mat,&mdash;that is, <em>a</em> mat.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie seized it eagerly, gave Hattie a kiss,
+saying, "Oh, you dear thing! I'm so glad."</p>
+
+<p>Then she looked for the stain, but there was
+no stain to be seen.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's that ink-spot? Oh, Hattie, did
+you take it out? There's not a sign of it."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Hattie, "I did not take it out."</p>
+
+<p>"Why!" exclaimed Gracie, turning the
+mat over. "Why, it is&mdash;it is&mdash;it's not mine.
+It's Nellie's mat!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to tell you," said Hattie. "This
+morning Miss Ashton handed me your history,
+which I believe you left in the cloak-room
+yesterday, and told me to put it in your desk. So
+when I opened the desk, the first thing I saw
+was the mat, and I knew you must have
+forgotten it. Nellie, the mean thing, she had
+brought her mat to school to-day again, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+said she was going to work on it in recess;
+but when recess came the other children
+coaxed her to go out in the garden 'cause it
+was so pleasant, and she went. So while they
+were all down there, I saw the way to play
+Miss Nellie a good trick and to help you, dear;
+and I ran up to the school-room, changed Nellie's
+mat for yours, put hers back just as
+she had left it, and she'll never know the
+difference and think that somehow that ink-spot
+has come on her mat. And do you know,
+Gracie, it was the most fortunate thing that
+Nellie had just worked those two rows more
+that made her work even with yours; so she
+never can know. You remember yesterday we
+could scarcely tell them apart, and now they
+look almost exactly alike."</p>
+
+<p>"But what then?" said Gracie, almost
+frightened at the thought of Hattie's probable
+meaning.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, don't you see?" said Hattie, who
+told her story as if she thought she had done
+something very clever and praiseworthy; "you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>
+can just finish this mat as if it was your own,
+and need not bother yourself about the ink-stain."</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;but&mdash;Hattie&mdash;this one is Nellie's,"
+said Gracie in a shocked voice.</p>
+
+<p>"What of that? we'll keep the secret, and
+no one will ever know but us two," said Hattie.
+"Nellie has the other one, and that's good
+enough for her. She has no right to expect
+the most money from your grandmamma.
+Take a great deal of pains with this, Gracie,
+and make the work look just like Nellie's."</p>
+
+<p>"But, I can't, I can't," said Gracie. "It
+seems to me almost like&mdash;stealing."</p>
+
+<p>"Stealing!" repeated Hattie. "I'd like to
+know who has been stealing! I only changed
+the mats, and you have the best right to the
+nicest one. I was not going to have Nellie get
+every thing away from you. She just thinks
+she's going to make herself the head of the
+school and beat you in every thing."</p>
+
+<p>Now as I have said, and as you will readily
+believe, there was more at the bottom of Hattie's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>
+desire to thwart Nellie than her wish to
+see Gracie stand first, although she was really
+very fond of the latter, and it was this.</p>
+
+<p>It had so happened that Nellie's rather
+blunt truthfulness and clear-sighted honesty
+had more than once detected Hattie's want of
+straightforwardness, and even defeated some
+object she had in view, and for this Hattie bore
+her a grudge. She was particularly displeased
+with her at the present time because of a
+reprimand from Miss Ashton which she chose to
+consider she owed to Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>Coming to school rather early one morning,
+a day or two since, Nellie found Belle Powers
+and Hattie there before her.</p>
+
+<p>Belle sat upon the lower step of the upper
+flight of stairs, in a state of utter woe, with the
+saddest of little faces, and wiping the tears
+from her eyes. Hattie, grasping the banister
+with one hand, was swinging herself back and
+forth, saying, "I wouldn't care if I were you.
+'Tis nothing to cry about;" but she looked
+ashamed and rather caught when she saw
+Nellie coming up the stairs.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter, Belle?" asked Nellie,
+sitting down beside the school pet and darling,
+and putting her arm around her neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny Leroy said things about me," sobbed
+Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"What things?" questioned Nellie with a
+searching look at Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"She said I was so bad and spoiled I could
+hardly ever be good, even when I wanted to,"
+answered Belle piteously; "and she said Miss
+Ashton had to be excusing me all the time for
+the naughty things I did in school. And I
+loved Fanny, and I wouldn't have said such bad
+things about her; and, oh, dear! I thought she
+loved me too. She came to Aunt Margaret's
+when I was there the day before she went away,
+to say good-bye to Maggie and Bessie and me;
+and she gave us each a nutmeg to remember
+her by and to keep for ever an' ever an' ever
+for a keepsake, and she kissed me ever so
+many times. And all the time she had been
+saying bad things about me, and so I'm going
+to throw away the nutmeg, 'cause I don't want<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
+a keepsake of a girl who made b'lieve she
+liked me when she didn't."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it," said Nellie with far
+more energy than was usual with her, and still
+regarding Hattie with searching looks.</p>
+
+<p>"But Hattie says she did," repeated Belle.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie's <em>saying</em> a thing made it by no means
+sure in Nellie's eyes, and although she was not
+apt to interfere or meddle where she had no
+right to do so, she would not let this pass
+without further questioning. She was fond of
+the absent Fanny and loved Belle dearly; and
+believing that both were now wronged, she set
+herself to right them if possible.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it," she said again.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you just can believe it," said Hattie
+resentfully. "Don't I know what Fanny
+said to me? It's nothing to make such a fuss
+about, anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"Belle has very easily hurt feelings," said
+Nellie; "and besides, it <em>is</em> something to make a
+fuss about. And Fanny hardly ever would say
+unkind things of other people; the girls used<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>
+to think she was 'most too particular about it.
+And, Hattie Leroy, I don't believe she ever
+said such things about Belle; anyhow, not in
+that way."</p>
+
+<p>"She did, too, I tell you," persisted Hattie,
+secure in Fanny's absence, and determined not
+to acknowledge that she had misrepresented
+her innocent words, from the mere love of
+talking and exaggeration, too; for she had not
+intended to hurt Belle so much, and was now
+really sorry to see her so grieved. "She did,
+too, I tell you. How do you know what Fanny
+said to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what she did say, but I am
+sure she never said that," repeated Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>Both little girls had raised their voices
+as they contradicted one another, and as
+the tones of neither were very amicable by
+this time, they drew the attention of Miss
+Ashton.</p>
+
+<p>"What is this, my little girls; what is the
+trouble?" she asked, coming up the stairs to
+them; then, seeing Belle's still distressed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>
+tear-stained face she inquired, "Belle, darling,
+what is wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>Nellie and Hattie were both rather abashed,
+especially the latter, who knew herself to be in
+the wrong; but Belle answered, "Hattie
+thinks Fanny Leroy said something, and Nellie
+thinks she didn't. I don't know," she added
+with a mournful shake of her head, "but
+somehow somebody must be rather 'deceitful
+and <em>despicably</em> wicked.'" Desperately, Belle
+meant, and she quoted her words in no spirit
+of irreverence, but because she thought them
+suited to the, to her, solemnity of the occasion.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton, too, feared that there was
+some deceitfulness, or at least exaggeration;
+and seeing that little Belle was in real trouble
+she questioned further, and Nellie told her
+what Hattie had said.</p>
+
+<p>This was not the first time, by any means,
+that Miss Ashton had known mischief to arise
+from Hattie's thoughtless way, to call it by no
+worse name, of repeating things; and she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+reproved her pretty sharply, telling her that such
+speeches were not at all like her gentle, amiable
+cousin Fanny, and she could not believe
+her guilty of them; and even had she said
+them she, Hattie, had no right to repeat them
+and make needless sorrow and trouble for
+Belle. Then she soothed Belle and encouraged
+her to think that Fanny had not so wronged
+her; and after school she kept Hattie for a few
+moments, and spoke to her very seriously but
+kindly on her idle, foolish habit of telling tales
+with exaggeration and untruthfulness.</p>
+
+<p>But Hattie, in repeating this, had said that
+"Miss Ashton kept her in and gave her an
+awful scolding just because she had said
+something that cry-baby Belle did not like, and
+Nellie went and told her and so put her in a
+scrape;" nor did she see that it had been her
+own blame in the first instance. And ever
+since she had been vexed with Nellie, and this
+added strength to her wish to have Gracie
+outstrip Nellie. It was not altogether this, let us
+do her justice, for she really loved Gracie better<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+than any other child in the school, and was
+anxious to have her win for her own sake.</p>
+
+<p>But we must go back to these two little girls
+as they sat together in Gracie's room.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, so she does," echoed Gracie; "and I
+suppose now Miss Ashton will take away my
+conduct marks, and being away to-day, I'll lose
+my place in all the classes too. Not that I
+could not get ahead of her again easily enough,"
+she added contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>"But she can't have the best mat now,"
+said Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how I <em>could</em> do that," said
+Gracie. "It is her's, you know, Hattie, and I
+can't, really I can't."</p>
+
+<p>"But you'll have to now," said Hattie.
+"You know Nellie has found the ink-spot on
+the other mat by this time, and there's no way
+to give her this one back."</p>
+
+<p>Yes, there was one way, but that did not
+enter Hattie's thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't," said Gracie again, shrinking
+at the idea of doing what she knew to be so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>
+dishonest and deceitful. "I must have my
+own mat, Hattie; but I do wish this was mine
+and the other Nellie's."</p>
+
+<p>"But we can't put it back now, and I took
+it for you," said Hattie complainingly. "Gracie,
+you must keep it now. I shall get into an
+awful scrape if you don't; and it's real mean
+of you."</p>
+
+<p>It would take too long to tell you of all the
+arguments and persuasions Hattie used. How
+she pleaded and reproached; how she insisted
+that there was no way of undoing what she
+had done; how she excited and increased
+Gracie's jealous pride and desire to outdo
+Nellie; and this last she found by far the most
+effectual argument.</p>
+
+<p>And&mdash;Gracie yielded. Persuading herself
+that she had the best right to receive the
+highest premium because her own grandmamma
+had offered it; putting from her the thought
+of the only way in which justice could now be
+done to Nellie, on the plea that Hattie would
+be disgraced, and she would be "too mean" to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+bring this upon her; rousing up all her own
+naughty and envious feelings against innocent
+Nellie, she gave way at last and fell before
+temptation. Fell into the very sin, or even
+worse, from which she felt herself so very
+secure,&mdash;deceit and theft, for it was no less.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I'll go, dear," said Hattie, jumping
+up as soon as Gracie had yielded, perhaps
+afraid that she might repent and insist that she
+could not keep the mat, "and no one but us
+two will ever know the secret. And, Gracie,
+make up your mind to ask Miss Ashton's pardon,
+so you won't lose all the fun."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 86px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image23.jpg" width="86" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 220px;">
+<a name="guilty" id="guilty"><img src="images/image24.jpg" width="220" height="125" alt="birds" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>IX.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>A GUILTY CONSCIENCE.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-i.jpg"
+width="51" height="50" alt="i" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">I</span>F Gracie had been an unhappy and
+miserable child before, what was she
+now with all this load upon her conscience?
+For even pride and self-conceit could
+not attempt to justify such a deed. Jealousy
+had a good deal to say; and she tried to listen
+to that, and to believe also that she was not
+really to blame: she had been forced into it;
+she could not betray Hattie, who had done this
+from love to her. But she was more wretched
+than it would be easy to tell; and she was
+beginning to feel such a contempt for her chosen
+friend that this also was a sore spot in her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+heart. Day by day she was learning that there
+was nothing true or honorable or upright about
+Hattie. She hardly even seemed to think it
+much harm to tell a falsehood, or appeared
+ashamed when she was found out; and for
+some days she had had a growing feeling that
+it was not pleasant to have a friend with the
+character of a "story-teller," which Hattie
+now bore among her school-fellows. And
+Gracie; was she not just as bad, perhaps even
+worse? For Gracie had been taught all the
+value and beauty of truth, and had never till
+now wilfully fallen away from it; but she knew
+that the worth of that jewel was not much
+considered in Hattie's home, and so it had lost its
+preciousness in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton, too, knew this; and so she was
+less severe with Hattie than she might have
+been with another child who had a better
+example and more encouragement to do right
+in this particular.</p>
+
+<p>Lily, in her plain speaking, would probably
+have called Mr. and Mrs. Leroy by the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+uncomplimentary name she had given to Mr.
+Raymond; for the same foolish system of management
+was carried on in their family. Probably
+they would have been much shocked to
+hear it said that they taught the lesson of deceit;
+but was it to be expected that Hattie
+could have much regard for the truth when she
+heard herself and her brothers and sisters
+threatened with punishments, which were not,
+perhaps could not be carried out; when promises
+were made to them which were not kept;
+when they were frightened by tales of bears,
+wolves, and old black men, and such things
+which had no existence?</p>
+
+<p>"Willie, your mamma said she would send
+you to bed if you went there," was said to little
+Willie Leroy one day.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm not afraid," answered Willie,
+contemptuously. "Mamma never does what she
+says;" and off he ran to the forbidden spot, his
+words proving quite true, although his mamma
+heard that he had disobeyed her so deliberately.</p>
+
+<p>"Is your mother going to make you something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>
+for the fair?" Hattie was asked by one of her
+schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>"She says so; but I don't know if she will,"
+was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie's was not the simple faith of "Mamma
+says so," so sweet in little children.
+Mamma might or might not do as she had said
+she would, according to the convenience of
+the moment.</p>
+
+<p>So it was no marvel that Hattie thought it
+no great harm to escape punishment or gain
+some fancied good by stretching the truth, or
+even telling a deliberate falsehood; or that,
+having a great love of talking, a story should
+outgrow its true dimensions in her hands; or
+that she did not see what was honest and upright
+as well as some children.</p>
+
+<p>But with Gracie Howard it was very different.</p>
+
+<p>Truth, and truth before all things, was the
+motto in her home, the lesson which from her
+babyhood had been taught to her by precept
+and by example; and the conscience which, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+Hattie, was so easily put to sleep, would not let
+her rest. In vain did jealousy and ambition
+try to reconcile her to the act of dishonesty
+and meanness into which she had allowed herself
+to be drawn; in vain did she argue with
+herself that "it was all Hattie's fault;" she
+could not betray Hattie when she had done
+this just for her; or "there was no way of
+putting the mat back now; she could not help
+herself." Gracie sinned with her eyes open,
+and her conscience all alive to the wickedness
+of which she was guilty.</p>
+
+<p>But her stubborn pride was beginning to
+give way in one point; for she had no mind to
+"lose the fun of the fair," as Hattie said,&mdash;though
+even the fair had lost some of its
+attraction with this weight upon her conscience,&mdash;and
+she resolved to send for her mother, and
+tell her she would ask Miss Ashton's pardon.</p>
+
+<p>So when the long, weary afternoon had
+worn away, and Mrs. Howard came home,
+Gracie rang the bell, and sent a message
+begging her mother to come to her.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mamma came thankfully; but one look at
+her little daughter's face was enough to
+convince her that she was in no softened mood,
+in no gentle and humbled spirit. It was with
+a sullen and still half-defiant manner that
+Gracie offered to do what was required of her;
+and her mother saw that it was fear of farther
+punishment, and not real sorrow and repentance,
+which moved her.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I ought not to have spoken so,
+mamma," she answered, when her mother
+asked her if she did not see how very naughty
+she had been; "but Miss Ashton is so unjust,
+and Nellie provokes me so."</p>
+
+<p>"How is Miss Ashton unjust?" asked Mrs.
+Howard.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie fidgeted and pouted, knowing that
+her mother would not be willing to accept the
+charges she was ready to bring.</p>
+
+<p>"She's always praising Nellie for every thing
+she does, mamma; and in these days she never
+gives me one word of praise, even when every
+one has to see that I do the best. And&mdash;and&mdash;I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
+b'lieve she tries to make me miss, so Nellie
+can go above me in the classes."</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said her mother, "you know that
+that last accusation is untrue. As for the first,
+if Miss Ashton is sparing of her praise, my
+daughter, it is because she knows it is hurtful
+to you. Nellie is a timid child, trying to do
+her best, but with little confidence in her own
+powers; and praise, while it encourages and
+helps her to persevere, does not make her vain
+or conceited. But Miss Ashton sees that that
+which is needful for Nellie is hurtful to you;
+for it only increases your foolish vanity and
+self-esteem, and it is for your own good that
+she gives you a smaller share. You have,
+unhappily, so good an opinion of yourself,
+Gracie, that praise not only makes you
+disagreeable, but disposes you to take less trouble
+to improve yourself. Let me hear no more of
+Miss Ashton's injustice. When you deserve it,
+or it does not hurt you, Miss Ashton is as ready
+to give praise to you as she is to another. You
+say you are willing to ask her pardon for your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
+impertinence; but I fear that you do not really
+see your fault."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you not going to let me come out, then,
+mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, since you promise to do as I say; but
+I fear you are in no proper spirit, Gracie, and
+that you will fall into further trouble unless
+you become more submissive and modest."</p>
+
+<p>"Hattie was here this afternoon, mamma,"
+said Gracie, as she followed her mother from
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>"So I understood," said Mrs. Howard, who
+had been waiting for the confession, having been
+informed of the circumstance by the servant.</p>
+
+<p>"I left my mat in school yesterday," said
+Gracie, "and she thought I would want it, and
+came to bring it back."</p>
+
+<p>She spoke in a low tone and with downcast
+eyes; for Gracie was so unused to deceit that
+she could not carry it out boldly, as a more
+practised child might have done.</p>
+
+<p>Something in her manner struck her mother,
+who turned and looked at her.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Did Hattie bring you any message from
+Miss Ashton?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No, mamma: she only came about the mat;
+and she begged me to ask Miss Ashton's pardon,"
+answered Gracie with the same hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>But her mother only thought that the averted
+face and drooping look were due to the
+shame which she felt at meeting the rest of the
+family after her late punishment and disgrace.</p>
+
+<p>"I told Hattie you would not wish her to
+stay with me, mamma; but she would not go
+right away, but I would not let her stay very
+long."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you were so honest, dear," said
+Mrs Howard.</p>
+
+<p>Honest! Gracie knew how little she deserved
+such a character, and her mother's praise made
+her feel more guilty than ever.</p>
+
+<p>She was received with open arms by the
+other children; for Gracie was the eldest of the
+flock, and, in spite of her self-conceit, she was
+a kind little sister, and the younger ones quite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>
+shared her own opinion, thinking no child so
+good and wise as their Gracie. And they had
+missed her very much; so now they all treated
+her as if she had been ill or absent, and made
+much of her.</p>
+
+<p>But for once Gracie could not enjoy this,
+and it only seemed to make her feel more
+ashamed and guilty. What would mamma
+say, what would all say if they only knew?</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard had told Gracie that she might
+either go to school early in the morning and
+make her apology to Miss Ashton before the
+other scholars came, or she might write to
+her this evening, and send the note to her
+teacher.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie had chosen to do the last; but when
+the younger children had gone to bed, and she
+tried to write the note, she found she could
+not bring her mind to it. Her conscience was
+so troubled, and her thoughts so full of her guilty
+secret, that the words she needed would not
+come to her; and as her mother saw her sitting
+with her elbows upon the table, biting the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>
+end of her pencil or scrawling idly over her
+blotter and seeming to make no progress at all,
+she believed, and with reason, that Gracie was
+not truly repentant for what she had done, and
+had only promised to beg Miss Ashton's pardon
+in order that she might be released from
+the imprisonment of which she had tired.
+Gracie was not usually at a loss for ideas or
+words where she had any thing to write.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't do it," she said pettishly at last,
+pushing paper and pencil from her. "I s'pose
+I'll have to go to Miss Ashton in the morning,
+and I b'lieve I'll go to bed now. Good-night,
+mamma."</p>
+
+<p>And Gracie went to her room, wishing to
+escape from her own thoughts, and bring
+this miserable day to a close as soon as
+possible.</p>
+
+<p>But the next morning it was no better; and
+now it seemed harder to go to Miss Ashton
+and speak than it would be to write. But it
+was too late now: she had no time to compose
+a note, "make it up" as she would have said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>
+and to copy it before school, and she must
+abide by her choice of the previous night.</p>
+
+<p>She started early for school, according to
+her mother's desire, with many charges from
+her to remember how grievously she had
+offended Miss Ashton, and to put away pride
+and self-conceit and make her apology in a
+proper spirit.</p>
+
+<p>Had there not been that guilty secret fretting
+at Gracie's heart, she might have been induced
+to be more submissive; but, as it was,
+she felt so unhappy that it only increased her
+reluctance to make amends to Miss Ashton and
+acknowledge how wrong she had been.</p>
+
+<p>She asked for her teacher at once when she
+reached the house, anxious to "have it over;"
+and, when the young lady appeared, blurted out,
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Ashton."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton sat down, and, taking Gracie's
+half-reluctant hand, drew her kindly towards
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"It is freely granted, my dear," she said.
+"And are you truly sorry, Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Gracie fidgeted and wriggled uneasily; but
+we who know what she had done can readily
+believe that it was more pride than a strict
+love of the truth which led her to say to herself
+that she was "not sorry," and "she
+could not tell a story by saying so."</p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon, ma'am, and I won't do
+so again," she repeated, seeing that Miss Ashton
+waited for her answer.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton did not wish to force her to say
+that which she did not feel, and she saw that
+it was of no use to argue with her in her
+present stubborn mood; but she talked quietly
+and kindly to her, setting before her the folly
+and the wrong of the self-love and vanity
+which were ruling her conduct, and day by day
+spoiling all that was good and fair in her
+character.</p>
+
+<p>"See what trouble they have brought you into
+now, Gracie," she said; "and unless you
+check them in time, my child, they will lead
+you deeper into sin. I scarcely know you for
+the same little girl who first came to me, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>
+much have these faults grown upon you; and
+they are fast destroying all the affection and
+confidence of your school-fellows. Why,
+Gracie, I have heard one little girl say that
+'Gracie thought so much of herself that it
+sometimes made her forget to be very true.'"</p>
+
+<p>Gracie started. Was this the character her
+self-love was earning for her? she who
+desired to stand so high in all points with the
+world.</p>
+
+<p>Ah! but it was for the praise of man, and
+not for the honor and glory of God that Gracie
+strove to outshine all others; and she walked
+by her own strength, and the poor, weak prop
+must fail her and would lay her low.</p>
+
+<p>"Forget to be very true!"</p>
+
+<p>How far she had done this, even Miss Ashton
+did not dream; but it seemed to Gracie
+that she had chosen her words to give her
+the deepest thrust, and she bowed her head in
+shame and fear.</p>
+
+<p>But Miss Ashton, knowing nothing of what
+was passing in that guilty young heart, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
+glad to see this, and believed that her words
+were at last making some impression on
+Gracie, and that she was taking her counsel and
+reproof in a different spirit from that in which
+she generally received them.</p>
+
+<p>Strange to say, in all the miserable and
+remorseful thoughts which had made her
+wretched since yesterday afternoon, it had not
+once entered her mind how she was to face
+Nellie when the poor child should make known
+the misfortune which had befallen her.</p>
+
+<p>One by one the children came in, and how
+awkward Gracie felt in meeting them may
+readily be imagined by any one who has suffered
+from some similar and well-merited disgrace.
+Still she tried, as she whispered to
+Hattie she should do, to "behave as if nothing
+had happened;" and when little Belle, after
+looking at her wistfully for a moment as if
+undecided how to act, came up and kissed her,
+saying, "I'm glad to see you, Gracie," she
+answered rather ungraciously, "I'm sure it's
+not so very long since you saw me," and sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>
+the dear little girl away feeling very much
+rebuffed.</p>
+
+<p>And yet she really felt Belle's innocent
+friendliness, and her sweet attempt to make
+her welcome and at her ease; but pride would
+not let her show it.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie was one of the last to arrive, and her
+troubled and woe-begone face startled Gracie
+and smote her to the heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Such a dreadful thing has happened to me,"
+said Nellie, when she was questioned by the
+other children; and the tears started to her
+eyes afresh as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it? What is it?" asked a number
+of eager voices.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know how it can have happened,"
+said Nellie, hardly able to speak for the sobs
+she vainly tried to keep back. "I have been
+so, so careful; but there is an ugly spot like ink
+or something on my mat. I can't think how
+it ever came there, for I put it in my desk very
+carefully when school began yesterday, and did
+not take it out till I got home, and I did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>
+know there was any ink near it. But when I
+unrolled it last evening the stain was there,
+and mamma thinks it is ink, and she cannot
+get it out. And I've taken such pains to keep
+the mat clean and nice."</p>
+
+<p>And here poor Nellie's voice broke down entirely,
+while Gracie, feeling as if her self-command,
+too, must give way, opened her desk and
+put her head therein, with a horrible choking
+feeling in her throat.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll all tell Mrs. Howard it came somehow
+through not any fault of yours," said Lily.
+"Never mind, Nellie, yours is the best mat,
+anyhow: we all know it;" and Lily cast a defiant
+and provoking glance at Gracie, which
+was quite lost upon the latter.</p>
+
+<p>Lily had suggested on the day before, that
+when Gracie came back to school they should
+"all behave just as if nothing had happened,"
+just what Gracie intended to do; but generous
+Lily had said it in quite a different spirit from
+that in which Gracie proposed it to herself.</p>
+
+<p>But Gracie's rebuff to Belle, and the seeming
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>indifference with which she treated Nellie's
+misfortune, roused Lily's indignation once
+more; for she thought, as did many of the other
+children, that Gracie did not feel sorry for Nellie's
+trouble, since it gave her the greater chance
+of having her own work pronounced the best.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;">
+<img class="border" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;" src="images/image25.jpg" width="450" height="649" alt="A discussion about the best mat" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes, we will tell Mrs. Howard," said Dora
+Johnson: "yours was really the best mat of
+all, though Gracie's was almost as nice; and
+we will tell her something happened to it that
+you could not help, and perhaps she will not
+mind it."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps a vase standing on it would cover
+the spot," said Laura Middleton.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she said, "that would not make it
+any better. Mrs. Howard said that the best
+and neatest mat must take the highest
+premium, and mine is not the neatest now. I
+wouldn't feel comfortable to do any thing that
+was not quite fair, even if you all said I
+might."</p>
+
+<p>"That was not quite fair!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>More and more ashamed, and feeling how
+far behind Nellie left her in honesty and
+fairness, Gracie still sat fumbling in her desk,
+looking for nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Dora, "we'll speak to Mrs.
+Howard about it, and see what she says: won't
+we, Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p>Gracie muttered something which might
+mean either yes or no.</p>
+
+<p>"Augh!" said Lily, "what do you talk to
+that proudy about it for? She don't care a
+bit. I b'lieve she's just glad and wouldn't help
+Nellie if she could."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie made no answer: she was too miserable
+for words or to think of answering Lily's
+taunts, and she would have given up all thought
+of having any thing to do with the fair to have
+had Nellie's mat safely in her possession once
+more. Oh, if she had never yielded to temptation
+or to Hattie's persuasions!</p>
+
+<p>"How you do act!" whispered Hattie to
+Gracie. "If you don't take care they will suspect
+something."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I can't help it," returned Gracie in the
+same tone: "it is such an awful story that we
+have told."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not a story," said Hattie; "we've
+neither of us said one word about the mat."</p>
+
+<p>This was a new view of the matter; but it
+brought no comfort to Gracie's conscience
+She knew that the acted deceit was as bad as
+the spoken one, perhaps in this case even worse.</p>
+
+<p>She felt as if she could not bear this any
+longer, as if she must tell, must confess what
+she had done; and yet&mdash;how? How could
+she lower herself so in the eyes of her
+schoolmates? she who had always held herself so
+high, been so scornful over the least meanness,
+equivocation, or approach to falsehood!</p>
+
+<p>A more wretched little girl than Gracie was
+that morning it would have been hard to find;
+but her teacher and schoolmates thought her
+want of spirit arose from the recollection of
+her late naughtiness and the feeling of shame,
+and took as little notice of it as possible.</p>
+
+<p>And Lily, repenting of her resentment when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+she saw how dull and miserable Gracie seemed,
+threw her arms about her neck as they were
+leaving school, and said, "Please forgive me
+my provokingness this morning, Gracie. I
+ought to be ashamed, and I am."</p>
+
+<p>But Gracie could not return, scarcely suffer,
+the caress, and dared not trust herself to speak,
+as she thought how furious Lily's indignation
+would be if she but knew the truth.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 157px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image26.jpg" width="157" height="50" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 234px;">
+<a name="game" id="game"><img src="images/image27.jpg" width="234" height="125" alt="bird" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>X.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>A GAME OF CHARACTERS.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-a.jpg"
+width="51" height="50" alt="a" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">A</span>T home or at school, studying, working
+or playing&mdash;for the latter she had
+little heart now&mdash;Gracie could not
+shake off the weight that was upon her mind
+and spirits. Even her work for the fair had
+lost its interest; and as for the mat, Nellie's
+mat, she could not bear the sight of it. She
+went to sleep at night thinking of it, and trying
+to contrive some way out of her difficulty,
+though she would not listen to the voice of her
+conscience which whispered that there was but
+one way; and she woke in the morning with
+the feeling that something dreadful had
+happened. Appetite and spirits failed; she grew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
+fretful and irritable, and her mother imagined
+that she must be ill, though Gracie resolutely
+persisted that there was nothing the matter
+with her, and that she felt quite well.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said Mrs. Howard one morning
+after three or four days had passed, "it appears
+to me that you are not doing much on your
+mat. How is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," answered Gracie, fretfully.
+"I don't believe I'll finish it. I'm tired of the
+old thing."</p>
+
+<p>"That will not do, my child," said her
+mother. "You have undertaken to do this for
+your grandmamma and for the fair, and I cannot
+have you stop it now without some good
+reason. Bring the mat to me."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie went for the mat very unwillingly,
+though she dared not refuse nor even show her
+reluctance.</p>
+
+<p>"It really does you credit," said Mrs.
+Howard, taking it from her hands: "it is so
+smooth and even, and you have kept it so
+neat. But you must be more industrious, dear,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
+if you are to have it finished in time. And
+see, Gracie," she continued, looking at it more
+closely, "these last few lines look not <em>quite</em>
+as nicely as the rest. There is a difference in
+the work, and you will have to take more pains
+than you have done here. It looks almost as
+if another person had worked it. You have
+not let any one help you with it, have you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, mamma," replied Gracie in a low tone
+and with a frightened feeling. Was there
+really such a difference between her work and
+Nellie's that it was so easily detected?</p>
+
+<p>It had not occurred either to her or to
+Hattie, perhaps they did not know, that the
+work of two different hands seldom or never
+matches well upon embroidery in worsted,
+and that it is almost sure to be perceived.
+She was dismayed at the thought that her
+mother had noticed this, and now every stitch
+that she took seemed to make the difference
+more plain, take what pains she might.</p>
+
+<p>She began to feel angry and indignant at
+Hattie for leading her into this sin, shutting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>
+her eyes to the fact that, if she had not
+allowed proud and jealous thoughts to creep
+into her heart, temptation would not have had
+so much influence over her.</p>
+
+<p>She no longer took any pleasure in the
+society of her little friend, and shrank from
+her in a way that Hattie perceived, and by
+which she was hurt; for she was disposed in
+her own mind to throw all the blame upon
+Hattie, forgetting that she was really the most
+to blame, since she had been better taught, and
+saw more clearly the difference between right
+and wrong.</p>
+
+<p>As for Nellie, poor, innocent, injured Nellie,
+Gracie felt as if she could not bear the sight
+of her; and when she saw in what a gentle,
+patient spirit she took her great misfortune,&mdash;for
+so all the children considered it,&mdash;she
+grew more and more ashamed and lowered in
+her own sight. Pride and self-esteem could
+not now blind her to the fact that Nellie
+was better, far better, than herself.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the change in Gracie was exciting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>
+the wonder of all, the pity of some, of her
+young friends and schoolmates. Only Hattie
+held the clew to it; and she was surprised that
+such "a trifle," as she considered it, should
+have such an effect upon Gracie and make her
+so unhappy.</p>
+
+<p>But Gracie was not a really bad or deceitful
+child, although she had suffered herself to
+be led so far astray. She was not naturally
+more unkind or selfish than most of us who
+have not the love and fear of God before us;
+indeed she was what children call "generous"
+in giving or sharing what she had, and she
+was always glad to do a helpful or obliging
+act for another. But she had always trusted
+to her own strength, and believed she could
+not fall, and now she was learning that her
+high thoughts of herself, and her carelessness
+of what she considered little faults, had made
+her an easy prey to temptation and the
+indulgence of a foolish pride and jealousy had
+led her into this great sin into which she had
+not imagined she could fall. But although<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>
+she saw this now, she was not truly repentant;
+for she would not take the only right
+and true way to make amends; and spent her
+time wishing vain wishes, and trying to contrive
+some way out of her difficulty without
+bringing disgrace upon herself or losing her
+character for honor and truthfulness among
+her young companions. It troubled Gracie far
+less to think how she already stood in the eyes
+of God, than it did to imagine how she might
+appear in the sight of her earthly friends if
+this thing were known.</p>
+
+<p>There was a small children's party at Mrs.
+Bradford's. Gracie did not care to go; indeed
+she would much rather not have done so: but
+her mother had accepted for her, and she had
+no good excuse for staying away.</p>
+
+<p>She was more restless and miserable than
+usual that afternoon: she set up her opinion
+against that of all the rest, found fault with
+her playmates in every game that was begun,
+was more than usually sure that she knew
+every thing and could do better than any one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+else, and, not having her wits and thoughts
+about her, miserably failed in all the plays in
+which she meant to shine.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall we play now?" asked Bessie
+at length, when they had all tired of some
+romping game.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's take a little rest, and play 'Characters,'"
+said Gracie, who was very good in this,
+having no match among her present playmates
+save Maggie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Maggie, willing to please her
+if possible, although she saw some objections
+to the game just now; "we'll play it; but it
+is rather hard for the younger ones, so we
+must take easy characters. Who'll go out?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will," said Lily; "but mind you do take
+an easy one. Somebody we know very well, not
+any history or jography character. I don't
+want to bother my head about lesson people
+when I'm playing."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Maggie; and Lily went
+out, singing loudly in the hall that she might
+"be sure and not hear."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Let's take Cromwell," said Gracie, always
+anxious, no matter what her frame of mind, to
+display her knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Maggie, "that's too hard for
+Lily; and she wants us to take some one we
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"I should think any goose might know about
+Cromwell," said Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"We did not know about him till a few
+weeks ago," said Dora Johnson. "We've
+only just had him in our history, and I don't
+b'lieve Lily knows much about him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then take Lafayette," said Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"Lily means some of the people we have in
+our own lives," said Bessie. "Make haste:
+she'll be tired."</p>
+
+<p>This was seconded by Lily's voice calling
+from without, "Why don't you make haste?
+I should think you were choosing a hundred
+people."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's take Flossey," said Belle, looking at
+the dog, who had jumped upon a chair beside
+Maggie, where he sat with a wise and sedate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>
+air as if he were listening to all that passed,
+and ready to take his share in the game.</p>
+
+<p>This was agreed upon by all but Gracie, who
+declared that it was "ridiculous to choose a
+dog," and she had "a great mind not to play
+the game in such an absurd way."</p>
+
+<p>Lily was called in and proceeded to ask her
+questions.</p>
+
+<p>"Male or female?" was the first, beginning
+at Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"Male," answered Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"Black or white?" asked Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"Neither," said Belle, who was next in turn,
+"least he's not black at all; but he's some
+white."</p>
+
+<p>Lily looked rather puzzled at this.</p>
+
+<p>"And what color besides is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Brown," answered Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"A brown and white man," said Lily. "Oh!
+I know. It's old black Peter."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, no," echoed around the circle.</p>
+
+<p>"Not one scrap of Peter is white," said
+Mamie Stone. "He's the blackest old man I
+ever saw."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Part of his eyes are white and his teeth
+too," said Lily, who was generally pretty sure
+of her ground when she stated a fact. "Where
+does he live?"</p>
+
+<p>"In this country," said Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"In this city?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Maggie.</p>
+
+<p>"Is he good or bad?"</p>
+
+<p>"Good, most generally," answered Mabel;
+"only sometimes pretty mischievous."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said Lily, light beginning to break
+upon her. "Can he talk?"</p>
+
+<p>"He tan't talt, but he tan bart pretty well,"
+said Frankie, to whom the question fell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! oh! that's too plain," cried one and
+another laughing; and Maggie, thinking Frankie
+did not understand the game well enough to be
+allowed to go out, gave a hint to Lily, but not
+wishing to hurt her little brother's feelings took
+refuge in the French language, and said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Ne <em>guessez</em> pas a lui."</p>
+
+<p>Frankie, however, was too sharp for her;
+there was not much that escaped him, and he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>
+exclaimed in a very aggrieved tone that it was
+"not fair," and that Lily should guess at him.</p>
+
+<p>So Lily said "Flossey" was the character;
+and, amid much laughter, the young gentleman
+betook himself to the hall with a pompous air,
+telling the little girls to make haste.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's take himself," said Bessie, which
+being agreed upon, Frankie was called back
+almost before he was well out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Is he blat or white?" he asked, following
+Lily's example, and beginning as she had done
+at Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"He's white," said Dora laughing; and, in
+obedience to a suggestion from Maggie to help
+him out, she added,&mdash;"white, with brown eyes
+and red cheeks and brown hair."</p>
+
+<p>"Flossey," cried Frankie triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; not Flossey again," said the children.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he have four feets?" asked the little
+boy.</p>
+
+<p>"No, only two," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he live in the stable?" asked Frankie.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, he lives in this house," said Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Blackie," said Frankie, who was unable to
+give up the idea that since it was not Flossey
+it must be the little pony owned by his sisters.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he eat hay?" was his next question.</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Nellie, "he eats fruit and
+meat and bread and milk, and, oh! how he
+does love sugar and candy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Me," cried Frankie, feeling that this description
+exactly suited himself.</p>
+
+<p>The character having been guessed at Nellie
+she now went out, and Maggie, willing to
+put Gracie in a good humor if possible, asked
+her who they should take this time.</p>
+
+<p>"Mary, Queen of Scots," answered Gracie
+promptly.</p>
+
+<p>It was not altogether probable that the
+younger children knew much of this unfortunate
+lady, but Gracie's choice was acceded
+to and Nellie called.</p>
+
+<p>"Male or female?" was of course the first
+question.</p>
+
+<p>"Female," answered Dora.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Old or young?"</p>
+
+<p>"Um&mdash;m&mdash;m, pretty old," said Belle;
+"at least she was grown up."</p>
+
+<p>"Is she alive now?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did she live?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Lily, "she lived in a good
+many places. But not in this country. Generally
+in France or Scotland."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said Nellie to whom this answer gave
+an inkling of the truth; but she passed on to
+the next.</p>
+
+<p>"Was she good or bad, Maggie?"</p>
+
+<p>"Some think her quite celestial and some
+think her quite infernal," answered Maggie
+with grand emphasis; "but on the whole I
+think she was not either, only rather middling
+like the most of us."</p>
+
+<p>Nellie felt more confident than ever; but
+not caring to risk one of her three guesses as
+yet, she passed on. The questions she put to
+Mabel and Frankie were simple and very easily
+answered; then came Gracie's turn.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What was she celebrated for?"</p>
+
+<p>"For cruelty and persecuting people,"
+answered Gracie confidently; and Nellie's
+idea was at once put to flight by the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a mistake," said Dora. "You are
+thinking of another character, Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not, either," said Gracie. "Don't I
+know history better than any of you?"</p>
+
+<p>"You don't know <em>that</em>, anyway," said Maggie.
+"Gracie, you <em>are</em> wrong. <em>She</em> was not
+the character you are thinking of, and was not
+celebrated for that."</p>
+
+<p>"But she <em>was</em>," persisted Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie," said Maggie, "you need not
+guess by what Gracie has told you, for she is
+not right."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll put my question another way," said
+Nellie. "Can I ask Gracie once again?"</p>
+
+<p>All agreed and Nellie asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Was she celebrated for her beauty and
+her misfortunes?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't tell you," said Gracie snappishly.
+"If I do, I shan't be believed, but they'll all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>
+go and contradict me. I suppose I know what
+I know; and any of you might be proud if you
+knew as much history as I do and had kept the
+head of the class so long."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie had for a moment forgotten how
+disgracefully she had lost her place at the head
+of the history class, but the silence that followed
+her ill-tempered speech brought it back
+to her and increased her vexation.</p>
+
+<p>"You all think you know so much," she
+said, throwing herself back sullenly in her
+chair.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie had begged Lily to bear with Gracie
+and not to aggravate her as she seemed so
+miserable and out of spirits, and Lily had
+been very forbearing; at least, so she thought.
+But now her small stock of patience was quite
+exhausted and she exclaimed vehemently:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie, we try to stand you; we do try
+with all our might and main; but you use up
+every bit of standing there is in me!"</p>
+
+<p>This did not mend matters in Gracie's present
+state of mind, but led to a pretty severe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>
+quarrel between her and Lily which the others
+vainly tried to heal, Lily being rather provoking,
+and Gracie obstinately sullen and ill-tempered.</p>
+
+<p>It ended in a violent burst of tears from the
+latter, and a declaration that she would go
+home at once. But this was impossible, since
+it was now evening; and the children's
+supper-time being near at hand, Mrs. Bradford
+could not just then spare a servant to go home
+with Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>No soothing or coaxing proved of any avail,
+nor did Lily's repentance; for she was sorry
+now that she had been provoking, and would
+readily have kissed and made up if Gracie
+could have been persuaded to do so.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie said that she would not stay where
+Lily was, and went sulkily upstairs to the
+room where Maggie and Bessie slept.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 117px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image28.jpg" width="117" height="50" alt="owl" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 226px;">
+<a name="confession" id="confession"><img src="images/image29.jpg" width="226" height="125" alt="sheep" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>XI.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>CONFESSION.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-g.jpg"
+width="49" height="50" alt="g" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">G</span>RACIE expected and wished to be
+left to herself till it was time to go
+home; at least she thought she did,
+and she had quite made up her mind that if
+any one came and begged her to go down to
+supper she would steadily refuse.</p>
+
+<p>She stood there with all manner of unhappy
+and wretched feelings, wishing vain and fruitless
+wishes, as she had so often done since she
+had fallen into this sin,&mdash;that she had never
+allowed Hattie to tempt her into doing what
+she knew to be wrong; that grandmamma had
+never made this plan or offered to put a price
+on the different pieces of work; that she had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
+never gone to the school, or that Nellie had
+never belonged to it; but still she did not think
+of wishing that she had not thought so much
+of herself or been so very anxious above all
+things to be first.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Gracie! Only those can tell how unhappy
+she was who have themselves so fallen
+and so suffered. There was no way out of her
+trouble but by confessing all the truth, and she
+could not bring herself to that.</p>
+
+<p>She had not closed the door when she came
+in, and presently she heard a gentle foot-fall,
+then Bessie's soft voice, saying, "Are you in
+here, Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p>There was no light in the room save the
+faint glimmer of moonlight which came
+through the window, and as Gracie stood in
+the shade, Bessie did not at first see her.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'm here, but I don't want any
+supper, and I'm not coming down till I go
+home," answered Gracie, not as ungraciously
+as she had intended to speak, for somehow
+she could not be disagreeable to dear Bessie.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Supper is not quite ready yet, and you
+shall have some up here if you had very much
+rather not come down," said Bessie with a
+coaxing tone in her voice; "but you'd better
+come down, Gracie. They're all very sorry
+for you and don't think you meant to be cross,
+'cause Nellie said she was sure something
+troubled you for a good many days, or you
+did not feel well, and that often made people
+impatient, so we ought not to be mad at you."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie made no answer, but presently Bessie
+heard a low sob.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie, dear," she said, coming closer to
+her little friend and putting her arms about
+her neck, "something does trouble you,
+doesn't it? Couldn't you tell me what it is,
+and let me see if I could comfort you? Sometimes
+it makes people feel better to tell their
+troubles and have some one feel sorry for
+them."</p>
+
+<p>The caressing touch, the tender manner,
+the earnest, pleading voice were too much for
+Gracie, and, throwing herself down on a chair,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>
+she buried her face in her arms and sobbed
+bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie let her cry for a moment, for the
+wise little woman knew that tears often do
+one good for a while, and contented herself
+with giving soft touches to Gracie's hair and
+neck to let her know she was still beside her
+and ready to give her her sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>At last Gracie raised her head and said
+brokenly, "Oh, Bessie, I am so bad! I am so
+wicked!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think being rather&mdash;rather&mdash;well,
+rather cross, is so very <em>wicked</em>," said
+Bessie, hesitating to give a hard name to
+Gracie's ill-temper, "and if you are sorry now
+and will come downstairs, we'll all be very
+glad to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it isn't that," sobbed Gracie. "Bessie,
+if you knew what I've done, you'd hate me.
+I know you would."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I wouldn't," said Bessie. "I'd never
+hate you, Gracie. I'd only be sorry for you
+and try to help you."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You can't help me. No one can help
+me," said Gracie, in a fresh paroxysm of
+distress.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't your mamma? Mammas generally
+can," said Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not even mamma," answered Gracie.
+"Oh, Bessie, I do feel as if it would be a kind
+of relief to tell you; but you'd hate me, you
+couldn't help it; and so would every one
+else."</p>
+
+<p>"Every one else need not know it because
+you tell me," said Bessie. "Tell Jesus, and
+ask Him to help you, Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"Even He can't," said Gracie; "at least&mdash;at
+least&mdash;not unless I tell other people who
+ought to know it."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean He would want you to tell
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I s'pose so," almost whispered Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie considered a moment. That Gracie
+was full of a vain, foolish pride and self-conceit,
+she knew; also that she was not the Gracie
+of a year or two since; but that she would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>
+wrong any one she never dreamed, and she
+could not imagine any cause for this great
+distress.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," she said, "I think by what
+you say that you must have done something to
+me. I can't think what it can be; but I promise
+not to be angry. I will be friends with
+you all the same."</p>
+
+<p>"It was not you; no, it was not you; but,
+Bessie, it was such a dreadful thing and so
+mean that you never can bear me after you
+know it. You are so very true yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you told a story?" asked Bessie in
+a troubled voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Not told a story, but I acted one," sobbed
+Gracie. "O Bessie! sit down here and let
+me tell you. I can't keep it in any longer.
+Maybe you'll tell me what to do; but I know
+what you'll say, and I can't do that."</p>
+
+<p>Bessie did as she was requested, and, in as
+few whispered words as possible, Gracie poured
+her wretched story into her ears.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie sprang to her feet, and her arms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>
+which she had clasped about Gracie's neck
+fell away from it. It was as the latter had
+feared; this was so much worse than any thing
+Bessie had expected, she was herself so truthful
+and upright, that her whole soul was filled
+with horror and dismay. No wonder that
+Gracie was distressed. This was indeed
+dreadful.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it, I knew it," said Gracie, burying
+her face again. "I knew you never could
+bear me again. It seemed as if I couldn't
+help telling you, Bessie; but you never, never
+will speak to me again. I wish&mdash;I wish&mdash;oh,
+I almost wish I was an orphan and had no
+one to care for me, so I could wish I was dead,
+only I'm too bad to go to God."</p>
+
+<p>Sympathy and pity were regaining their
+place in Bessie's heart in spite of her horror
+and indignation at what Gracie had done, and
+once more she sat down beside her and tried to
+soothe and comfort.</p>
+
+<p>She succeeded in part at least. Gracie's sobs
+grew less violent, and she let Bessie persuade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>
+her to raise her head. Then they sat side by
+side, Bessie holding her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"What would you do, Bessie?" asked Gracie.
+"I know I ought to tell, but I don't see how I
+can. It will be such a disgrace, and all the
+girls will have to know, and I've made such a
+fuss about myself, and always thought I never
+could do any thing that was very bad. And
+now this."</p>
+
+<p>And now this!</p>
+
+<p>Yes, after all her boasting, after all her
+self-confidence, her belief that she could not
+and would not fall into greater sin through her
+own conceit and vanity.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie knew all this; knew how confident
+Gracie had been in her own strength; knew
+what a bitter shame and mortification it must
+be to have this known; knew that it must be long
+before she could regain the trust and respect of
+her schoolmates after this thing should once be
+told. During the last few months Gracie had
+lost much of the liking and affection of her
+little friends; but not one among them would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
+have believed her capable of deliberate deceit
+or of that which was not strictly honest.</p>
+
+<p>Ah! it was a great and terrible fall. Bessie
+felt this as well as Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>But she knew also that there was but one
+thing for Gracie to do; but one way in which
+she could have any peace or comfort once
+more.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie was not the child for Gracie to put
+confidence in, if she expected advice that was
+not plain and straightforward.</p>
+
+<p>"What <em>shall</em> I do, Bessie?" she repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you'll have to tell, dear," said the
+pitying little voice beside her.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie actually shrank in a kind of terror
+at the thought; and yet she had known that
+this was what Bessie would say.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I can't, I can't; I never can," she
+moaned.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Gracie, dear," said the little monitress,
+"I don't think you will ever feel happy and
+comfortable again till you do; and Jesus is
+displeased with you all the time till you do it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>
+If you told about it and tried to make it up to
+Nellie, then He would be pleased with you
+again. And then you could have comfort in
+that even if people were rather cross to you
+about it. And, Gracie, Maggie and I will not
+be offended with you. I know Maggie will
+not; and we'll coax the other girls not to tease
+you or be unkind to you about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you think it was so very wicked in
+me then?" asked Gracie. "O Bessie! you
+are such a good child, I don't believe you ever
+have wicked thoughts. You don't know how
+hard it is sometimes not to do wrong when
+you want to do it very much,&mdash;when a
+very, very great temptation comes, like this."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Bessie, "I think I do, Gracie.
+And you are very much mistaken when you
+say I never have naughty thoughts. I have
+them very often, and the only way I can make
+them go is, to ask Jesus to help me, and to
+keep asking Him till they do go, and the temptation
+too. Perhaps, when you had the temptation
+to do this you did not remember to ask."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, I did not," said Gracie. "But, Bessie,
+it never seemed to me that I <em>could</em> do a
+thing that was not quite true and honest. And
+I suppose it has come because I thought too
+much of myself and wanted too much to have
+my work the best. It was not that I cared
+about the money, for you know that was for
+Jessie and her grandfather; but I wanted
+every one to say mine was the best; and it
+made me so mad that any one should say
+Nellie's was better than mine. If I had not
+cared so very much, Hattie would not have
+persuaded me, for I <em>did</em> know it was horribly
+mean. You never had a temptation like this,
+Bessie."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," said Bessie slowly. "I
+think I once had one something like it. Don't
+you remember, Gracie, that time you lost your
+prize composition and we found it in the
+drawer of the hall-table?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Gracie, "and how cross
+I was about it, and how hateful to you and
+Maggie."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Bessie, "I had a very hard
+temptation that time. I found the composition
+first, and I wanted to leave it there and
+not tell any one, 'cause I wanted Maggie to
+have the prize so much; and at first it did not
+seem so very wrong to me, and I tried to think
+I <em>ought</em> not to tell, because then my own
+Maggie could have the prize; but I did not
+feel sure about it, so I asked Jesus to let me
+see what I ought to do, and then I saw it
+quite plain, and knew I must take the composition
+to you. But it was a dreadful temptation,
+Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Gracie with a sigh, feeling
+deeply the difference between herself and her
+dear little playmate who had so bravely
+resisted temptation. For she knew how very
+anxious Bessie had been that Maggie should
+gain the prize.</p>
+
+<p>"But you did not <em>do</em> the thing you were
+tempted to do," she said. "What would you
+do if you had, Bessie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should go right away and tell my mamma;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span>
+and perhaps she could find some way to
+help me out of it," said Bessie. "Anyway,
+she ought to know, and she will tell you what
+you ought to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it will make mamma feel dreadfully,"
+said Gracie. "She was always telling me I
+would fall into trouble some day because I
+thought too much of myself; but, oh, dear!
+she never could have believed I would do this.
+Wouldn't you feel awfully, Bessie, if you had
+done it?"</p>
+
+<p>Yes, indeed. Bessie felt that she should;
+it almost seemed to her that she should die if
+she had such a weight on her mind and
+conscience, and she felt for Gracie most
+deeply.</p>
+
+<p>But still she knew that Gracie would never
+feel right again till she had made confession,
+and she once more urged it upon her; confession
+to God and man; and at last Gracie
+promised.</p>
+
+<p>Promised with many tears and sobs; but
+that promise once given, she became in haste<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>
+to have it over and to go home to her mamma
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Ask your mamma to let me go home as
+soon as she can, Bessie," she pleaded. "Tell
+her I do not feel well, for I do not really.
+My head aches and I feel all shaky, as if I
+could not hold still; and I don't want to see
+any one down stairs again or to have any
+supper."</p>
+
+<p>Bessie was about to leave her to do as she
+was asked, when Mrs. Bradford came in.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie and Bessie," she said, "are you
+here? You were so long in coming that I
+feared something was wrong. Will you not
+come down and have some supper, Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p>Gracie did not speak, but held fast to
+Bessie's hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma," said the little girl, "Gracie does
+not feel well, and she would like to go home as
+soon as you could send her. She's quite
+trembling, mamma. I feel her."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Bradford took Gracie's hand in hers
+and found that it was indeed cold and trembling,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+while her temples were hot and throbbing;
+for over-excitement and worry had made
+her really ill, and the lady saw that she was
+more fit for bed than for the supper-room.</p>
+
+<p>She told Gracie she should go home immediately,
+and putting on her hat led her down
+stairs, and calling Mr. Bradford, begged him
+to take the poor little girl home and explain
+matters to her mamma.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie clung to Bessie for a good-night kiss,
+whispering, "I will do it, Bessie; no matter
+what comes after, I will do it."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Bradford took her home,&mdash;it was not
+far from his house,&mdash;talking cheerfully by the
+way and trying to keep her amused; but,
+though Gracie felt he was kind, she hardly
+knew what he was saying, her mind was so
+taken up with the thought of the dreadful
+secret she had to confess.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard was startled, as was only
+natural, to see her little girl coming home so
+much before she had expected her; and Mr.
+Bradford's assurance that he did not think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>
+there was much wrong with Gracie, and that
+she would be well after a good night's sleep,
+did not quiet her fears, especially when she
+looked in Gracie's face.</p>
+
+<p>She quickly undressed her and put her to
+bed; but, longing as Gracie was to have her
+confession over, she could not tell it while the
+nurse was in the room; and it was not until
+she was safely in bed, and the woman sent to
+prepare some medicine, that she gave vent to
+the tears she had managed to keep back before
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"There, there, my darling," said her mother
+soothingly. "You will be better soon. Do
+not be frightened; this is only a little
+nervousness."</p>
+
+<p>"O mamma, mamma!" cried poor Gracie;
+"you ought not to be so kind to me. You
+don't know how bad, how very bad I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any thing especially wrong just
+now, Gracie?" asked her mother gently.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mamma; oh, yes. I have&mdash;I have&mdash;put
+your head closer, mamma, and let me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>
+whisper;" and then, with her face hidden
+against her mother's shoulder, came the
+confession, made with many bitter tears and
+sobs.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard was greatly shocked; she
+could hardly speak when she heard all.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall you ever be able to forgive me,
+mamma?" sobbed Gracie. "I know, I know
+you think me perfectly dreadful, but if you
+could try me just this once, and see if I ever
+do such a thing again. Indeed, I don't think
+I could. I know I am not too good to do it,
+as I thought I was before; but I have felt so
+dreadfully ever since I did it, I don't think I
+could ever punish myself so again."</p>
+
+<p>"I can believe that you have been very
+unhappy, my child," said her mother; "indeed
+I have seen it, though I did not know the
+cause. But you have need to ask a higher
+forgiveness than mine."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, mamma," said Gracie; "but&mdash;but&mdash;I
+suppose Nellie and the other children
+must be told?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I fear so, Gracie," said her mother.
+"Nellie must be righted and have her own
+mat again, and I do not see how we are to
+avoid having the rest of the children hear this
+terrible thing also. I must see Miss Ashton
+in the morning and talk it over with her, and
+we will arrange what is best to be done. But
+now you must try to be quiet and go to sleep.
+You are over-excited and will be really ill, so
+I can allow you to talk no more. But before
+you sleep, my child, make your peace with your
+Father in heaven, and ask Him to help you
+to bear the punishment you have brought upon
+yourself by your naughty pride and ambition."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie obeyed her mother as well as she
+was able; and, truly repentant, we may hope,
+at last fell into a troubled sleep.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 175px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image30.jpg" width="175" height="50" alt="leaves" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 218px;">
+<a name="fair" id="fair"><img src="images/image31.jpg" width="218" height="125" alt="Bird on nest" />
+</a></div>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>XII.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>THE FAIR.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-t.jpg"
+width="50" height="50" alt="t" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">T</span>HE next day was Saturday, when there
+was no school, so that Mrs. Howard
+was able to see Miss Ashton and tell
+her the sad story, quite early in the morning.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton was much grieved and surprised;
+for, as she told Mrs. Howard, although
+she had known that Gracie's high thoughts of
+herself and belief that she was wiser and
+better than any of her companions often led
+her into exaggeration, yet she could not have
+believed her capable of any thing that was
+really mean and dishonorable.</p>
+
+<p>She was distressed, too, at the thought of the
+exposure and mortification which must follow;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>
+for it seemed necessary, for Nellie's sake, that
+not only Grandmamma Howard, but the whole
+school should know the truth. She and Mrs.
+Howard talked it all over for some time, but
+neither of the two ladies saw any way to avoid
+this disgrace for Gracie. They would willingly
+have spared her the punishment, if possible,
+for she had already suffered severely, and she
+seemed so truly humble and repentant that her
+mother did not believe there was much fear
+she would again fall into this sin.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard had thought last night that
+perhaps she ought to deprive Gracie of any
+share in the fair; but that must make her
+disgrace very well known, and now she hoped
+that there was no need of further punishment
+to make her see and feel her great fault.</p>
+
+<p>And now Grandmamma Howard must be
+seen and told the sad story. Mrs. Howard
+knew that she would be much distressed that
+her kind plan should turn out so badly.
+Neither Gracie's mamma nor Miss Ashton had
+quite approved of that plan; especially on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>
+Gracie's account, but they could not well say
+so and cross the good old lady.</p>
+
+<p>It was as they had feared. Grandmamma
+was very much grieved and disturbed to know
+that what she had intended to be a help and a
+kindness, had only proved a source of trouble,
+and an encouragement to Gracie's besetting
+sin.</p>
+
+<p>There yet remained to Mrs. Howard the
+still more painful task of telling Nellie how
+she had been wronged. She would have
+thought it right to make Gracie do this herself,
+had it not been that the child was really
+ill that morning, and in no state for further
+excitement; and it was not just to Nellie to
+put off the confession any longer.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie was filled with amazement. Much as
+she had wondered over the unfortunate spot
+upon the mat she supposed to be hers, she had
+never dreamed of a thing like this, nor had
+she the least suspicion of the truth. Indeed,
+how should she?</p>
+
+<p>She was a quiet child, with a more wise and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>
+thoughtful little head than those who did not
+know her well would have given her credit
+for; but words did not come to her very
+readily, and, after the first surprise was over,
+she only said to Mrs. Howard, with the tears
+in her eyes,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Please tell Gracie I am not angry with
+her, and hope she will be friends with me
+once more. Let's try not to think about it
+any more than we can help; will you, Mrs.
+Howard?"</p>
+
+<p>Generous, forgiving Nellie! How ashamed
+Gracie felt when her mother told her this, and
+she contrasted Nellie's conduct with her own.</p>
+
+<p>She lay upon her little bed that afternoon,
+feeling wretched both in mind and body,
+though it was a relief to remember that she
+had confessed all to mamma, and that she had
+set her face toward the right way once more,
+when Mrs. Howard came in bringing Nellie
+with her.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Gracie gave a low sob, and covered her
+face with her hands in utter shame and distress,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>
+feeling as if she could not bear to have
+Nellie look at her.</p>
+
+<p>But in a moment Nellie was beside her,
+saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Don't, Gracie; please don't. You needn't
+feel so very badly about it now. I don't care
+much, and we'll make it all up."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Nellie, Nellie! I don't deserve you to
+be so kind to me," sobbed Gracie. "I was
+so hateful to you and so jealous, and it seemed
+as if I could not bear to have you go before
+me in any thing. I know I've been just too
+hateful to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, never mind now," said Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard had gone out and left the two
+children together.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't help minding," said Gracie; "and,
+only think, Nellie, all the other girls in the
+school will have to know, and it will shame
+me almost to death. I hope, I hope mamma
+will never make me go back to school, and I
+mean to stay away from the fair, any way."</p>
+
+<p>"That is what I came to see you about,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>
+said Nellie. "The girls need not know,
+Gracie. You see my&mdash;your&mdash;the mat with
+the ink-spot on it is nearly finished now, so I
+have done about as much work on one as on the
+other. And I don't care so very much about
+having mine called the best, for the money
+will do Jessie and her grandfather just as
+much good, no matter who earns it. So if
+each of us finishes the one she has now, it
+will be all the same, and the rest of the
+children need never know it. I am sure,
+Gracie, I should feel just as you do, and never
+want to come back to school again or see any
+of our class if I had done this, and I know
+just how badly you must feel. So I thought
+about it, and it seemed to me it would come
+right again if we just went on with the work
+as if this had not been found out; I mean if
+you had not told. I'd rather no one would
+know it but just those who know now. Don't
+you think we could arrange it so, Gracie?
+Your mother gave me leave to tell you this,
+and says she would be very glad for you if it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>
+can be done, and she thinks Miss Ashton will
+be willing."</p>
+
+<p>To hear the earnest, wistful voice one might
+have supposed that generous, great-hearted
+Nellie was pleading for some great boon for
+herself.</p>
+
+<p>But she could not tell all that Gracie felt.
+No, indeed; she did not know what coals of
+fire she was heaping on her head; how perfectly
+humbled and remorseful she felt as she
+remembered all the hard thoughts she had
+cherished toward her; the unkind words and
+unjust actions of which she had been guilty;
+all forgotten now, it seemed, by Nellie, who
+was only anxious to make the path of repentance
+as easy as possible to her, and to avoid
+all unnecessary shame and exposure to the one
+who had so greatly injured her.</p>
+
+<p>With many sobs and broken words she told
+Nellie all that was in her heart, beseeching
+her forgiveness, and thanking her over and
+over for her consideration and sweet thoughtfulness;
+not that she put it in just such words,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>
+but in those that were very simple and very
+touching to Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>So peace was made between them,&mdash;a peace
+that was sure to be lasting and true where
+there was such sincere repentance on one side,
+such good will and hearty forgiveness on the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>Grandmamma Howard was only too glad
+on Gracie's account to accept Nellie's generous
+proposal.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton also agreed that the matter
+should go no further, and so it was arranged,
+and further disgrace to Gracie avoided, although
+the weight of shame and remorse was
+not readily lifted from her heart, and she felt
+as if her schoolmates must know her secret
+and that she dared scarcely look them in the
+face.</p>
+
+<p>They all wondered at the new humility and
+modesty which she now began to show; but
+the change was an agreeable one, and drew
+forth no unkind remarks.</p>
+
+<p>A prettier sight than Miss Ashton's garden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>
+and piazza on that lovely June afternoon when
+the long-talked-of fair took place, would have
+been hard to find. Kind friends had decked
+the spot tastefully; flowers were everywhere
+in abundance; the tables conveniently and
+becomingly arranged; and the display of articles
+upon them was not only tempting, but
+such as had been manufactured by the children
+did them wonderful credit. Flags, ribbons,
+wreaths, and festoons, all joined to make the
+scene gay; and in and out, among and below
+them flitted the white-robed "little sunbeams,"
+who lent the fairest life and brightness to the
+scene.</p>
+
+<p>"Sunbeams" they all were that day, indeed.
+No cloud appeared to darken their happiness,
+no ill-temper, jealousy, or desire to outvie one
+another was heard or seen. Even Gracie and
+Hattie, who were each rather oppressed with
+the sense of past naughtiness, and the feeling
+of what the others would say and think if they
+knew all, could not but be bright and gay
+amid this pleasant companionship.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Gracie had told Hattie that she had confessed
+her sin to her mother, and the latter
+knew that some share of blame must have
+fallen to her; so, although she did not look
+upon it in as serious a light as Gracie did, she
+had an uncomfortable and conscious feeling.
+Miss Ashton had talked to her more seriously
+than she had ever done before, and had also
+informed her parents of what had taken place,
+telling them that she did not wish to disgrace
+Hattie, and so, as it was near the close of
+school, she would not ask them to remove her
+now; but that she could not take her back in
+the fall. Hattie's utter disregard of truth had
+already brought too much trouble into her
+little flock for her to risk any further mischief
+from that source.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie's parents had been much mortified
+and displeased, and the child herself had been
+severely punished; but I doubt if the punishment
+had been altogether just; for how was
+the child who saw equivocation and deceit used
+at home as a means of family government<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span>
+when convenience demanded it, to learn the
+value of the jewel thus sullied, or to judge of
+the line where it was believed that falsehood
+must stop and truth and uprightness begin?</p>
+
+<p>As for generous Nellie, she seemed to have
+no recollection of what had passed, unless it
+was in the new and caressing tenderness of
+her manner toward Gracie; not a patronizing
+manner, but one full of encouragement and
+helpfulness.</p>
+
+<p>The other children wondered not only at
+Gracie's new gentleness and modesty, but also
+at the sudden intimacy which seemed to have
+sprung up between these two.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe," said Lily privately, "it is because
+Gracie is learning to think better of herself"&mdash;which
+was just the opposite from what
+Lily meant&mdash;"and Nellie's trying to help her."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Maggie; "perhaps Gracie is
+learning it is 'never too late to mend,' which
+would make her much more agreeable, and
+other people would think more of her. I do
+think she is improved."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Maggie had yielded not alone to the persuasions
+of Miss Ashton, but also to an earnest
+appeal from Gracie, and accepted once more
+the title of Queen. And very well she became
+it, standing in front of her throne&mdash;which
+she could not be persuaded to occupy&mdash;within
+the pretty bower into which one end of the
+piazza had been turned, according to her ideas.
+Bessie, Belle, and Lily were her "maids of
+honor," and helped her to sell the bouquets
+and baskets of flowers with which she was
+bountifully supplied; and they drove a thriving
+trade; for so many sweet smiles, bright looks,
+and winning words went with the flowers that
+the stock within the "Queen's Bower" was
+much in demand. She had her band of music
+too, for half a dozen canary-birds hung within
+and around the bower, and, excited by the
+laughter and chatter about them, seemed to try
+which could sing the loudest and sweetest.</p>
+
+<p>Jessie's parrot was on exhibition, lent by
+his present owner for the occasion, down in
+the old summer-house at the end of the garden,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>
+where Jessie herself took the ten cents
+admission fee, and made him display all his
+accomplishments.</p>
+
+<p>And the Doll! She must have a capital
+letter to do justice to her perfections. Of all
+the dolls that ever were seen or heard or
+thought of, that doll surely took the lead. It
+would be of no use for me to describe her or
+her toilet, for if you should ever see her,
+you would surely tell me that I had not told
+one half.</p>
+
+<p>It was nearly the hour at which the fair was
+"to begin," and the children were all gathered
+about the table on which she was displayed,
+when there came a ring at the front door-bell.</p>
+
+<p>Away fluttered every little saleswoman to
+her appointed stand, hoping that this might be
+the first customer.</p>
+
+<p>And so it proved; for it was no less a person
+than old Mrs. Howard, who had purposely
+timed her arrival so that she might be there
+before any other person.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my dears," she said, looking round<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>
+upon the smiling young faces about her, "this
+is a pretty sight. And, industrious as I know
+you have been, and kind as your friends have
+been, I should hardly have thought it possible
+that you should have made such a fine show
+on your tables. But you know I have some
+especial business with you, and I have come
+early that we may have it over before the rush
+begins."</p>
+
+<p>This was very encouraging. Mrs. Howard
+thought it probable they would have "a rush"
+of customers, and who should know better
+than she?</p>
+
+<p>"You remember I offered six prizes for
+different articles to be worked for me," continued
+the old lady, "but there are only four
+finished, as you know. My little grand-daughter,
+Gracie, felt that she had not
+displayed a proper spirit about them, and
+she decided not to finish hers for the fair,
+but to leave it and complete it for me afterwards."</p>
+
+<p>This had been Gracie's own proposal to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span>
+her mother and grandmother, and they had
+allowed her to have her own way, thinking
+that this willingness to put herself behind the
+others, and to give up even the show of strife
+with Nellie, told of a spirit of true repentance,
+as indeed it did. When the other children
+had asked with much surprise where her mat
+was, she had answered quietly that she could
+not finish it. This had not proved any loss
+to the fair, because the time she would have
+devoted to the mat had been given to other
+articles.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, then," continued Mrs. Howard, "are
+two toilet sets and two mats for me to judge
+between. Of the latter, the one Nellie Ransom
+brings is certainly the best in point of
+work; but it has unfortunately received a bad
+ink-stain. Now those of us who know Nellie
+are very sure that this has not come through
+any neglect or carelessness of her own, and
+since she did not do it herself it seems hard
+that she should suffer for it. I should be quite
+willing to overlook it, for this is really the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span>
+best piece of work among the four; but I
+cannot do so unless the others are willing.
+Those among you who think Nellie ought not
+to be a loser by this misfortune, raise your
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>Instantly every little hand was raised, and
+if one were before another it was Gracie's.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; that is satisfactory," said Mrs.
+Howard. "Nellie, my dear, here are ten dollars
+for your mat, the first money taken in for
+your fair. The second sum, I think, must go
+to Maggie's toilet set&mdash;ah! yes, Maggie's and
+Bessie's, I should have said," as she saw the
+look which Maggie turned upon her sister,
+as if wishing that she should have her full
+share of credit&mdash;"the third to Dora's mat,
+and the fourth to Hattie's toilet set. You
+are all satisfied, I trust, with this arrangement."</p>
+
+<p>There was a murmur of assent, and this
+part of the business was settled.</p>
+
+<p>"And now," said Mrs. Howard, "I want to
+say that I think I made a mistake in offering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>
+these rates of prices, and so exciting you to
+outvie one another. I meant to give you a
+motive for trying to improve yourselves, but I
+believe it was not a good principle to set you
+thus one against the other, and I know that it
+has led to some hard feeling and unkindness.
+But that, I trust, is now all healed, and I shall
+take care not to put such temptation in your
+way again."</p>
+
+<p>The children all thought they knew what
+Mrs. Howard meant, and with true courteousness
+they all avoided looking at Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>But this was as much as was ever known by
+any of them, save the two or three who had
+been in the secret, of Gracie's temptation and
+fall. That she had been jealous and unkind
+to Nellie, they had all seen; that she had gone
+further and been led into deceit and meanness,
+they never heard. Hattie, for her own sake,
+held her peace for once; and penitent Gracie
+had not to face the scorn and wonder of all
+her schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>After this Mrs. Howard went about from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>
+table to table, purchasing not only one article,
+but generally two or three, from each little
+saleswoman; but she said she would not
+remove them till the fair was over, so that
+they might still add to the appearance of their
+tables. They were all marked SOLD in
+enormous, staring letters, that there might be
+no possibility of mistake.</p>
+
+<p>And now, customer after customer began to
+flock in, and among the earlier arrivals came
+Mr. Powers, who was immediately seized upon
+by Belle, and led to the table where the baby
+doll lay in her glory.</p>
+
+<p>Now it had been announced that whoever
+offered the highest price for this famous infant
+was to have her, and it was not to be told till
+the close of the fair who had done this. The
+names of would-be purchasers, with the amount
+each offered, were written down by Miss Annie
+Stanton, who still held the doll in charge,
+lest too eager little hands should mar her
+beauties.</p>
+
+<p>"Please offer a whole lot, papa; I do want<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span>
+her so," said Belle. "Isn't she lovely? Did
+you ever see such a doll?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Powers expressed all the admiration he
+thought needful, which did not nearly satisfy
+Belle, who was only half consoled by what she
+thought a want of proper interest by Maggie's
+whispered assurance that men "never did
+appreciate dolls, and it was quite useless to
+expect it of them. It did not seem to be born
+in them."</p>
+
+<p>However, Mr. Powers put down his name
+and the sum he would give, which last remained
+for the present a secret between him
+and Miss Annie Stanton.</p>
+
+<p>Mamie Stone was as eager about the doll
+as Belle, and her mamma was called upon also
+to offer a high price for the treasure.</p>
+
+<p>But my "Sunbeam" would lengthen itself
+far beyond its sister rays if I should tell you
+all that took place at the fair. Enough to say
+that it was a great success, and that a sum
+was taken in that was more than sufficient to
+purchase Jessie's parrot back and to provide<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span>
+a comfortable home for herself and her
+grandfather for at least a year to come.
+That is, with what the little girl might hope
+to make herself by the further sale of her
+wares.</p>
+
+<p>Evening came, bringing with it the great
+interest of the day, the announcement of the
+munificent purchaser of the doll, and every
+little heart beat high with hope that it might
+be some friend of her own, who would bestow
+the coveted prize upon her.</p>
+
+<p>It proved to be Grandmamma Howard.</p>
+
+<p>Belle stood in an agony of expectation,
+squeezing her father's hand and scarcely
+breathing in the hush that came before the
+name was spoken; and when she heard "Mrs.
+Howard," a rush of color dyed her face, and
+a look of blank disappointment overspread it.
+She looked up and caught her father's gaze
+fixed anxiously upon her. She dashed her
+little hand across her eyes to scatter the tears
+that would well up, and, forcing a smile, said
+with a trembling lip, "Never mind, papa,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span>
+you meant me to have it, so it was just as
+good of you."</p>
+
+<p>Her father stooped and kissed her, rejoicing
+in her sweetness and determined good temper.
+A little more than a year since, a tempest of
+tears and sobs would have broken from his
+over-indulged child; but now she had learned
+to control herself and to be contented and
+pleasant even when things did not go quite her
+own way. She was all smiles and brightness
+again in a few minutes, nearly consoled for
+her disappointment by her papa's caress and
+his few whispered words of blessing.</p>
+
+<p>All believed that Gracie or one of her little
+sisters would be presented with the doll by
+her grandmother; and great, therefore, was
+the amazement of the circle of young friends
+when the next day it was rumored, then made
+certain, that Mrs. Howard had sent it to Nellie
+Ransom.</p>
+
+<p>Every child wondered "why," and so did
+more than one grown person; for the Howards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>
+and the Ransoms were not, as Maggie said,
+"very intimate, and it was rather surprising
+Mrs. Howard should think of giving such a
+present to Nellie. But she seems to have
+taken a great fancy to her, and Nellie quite
+deserves it," she added.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if she gave it to her because of
+the mat," said Mamie Stone.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it was because she is such a
+serious child," said Lily. "I find old people
+like <em>seriosity</em>, and Nellie has a great deal of
+it."</p>
+
+<p>So they judged, these little ones. Nellie,
+gentle, unobtrusive "little sunbeam" that she
+was, went on her quiet way, shedding light
+and warmth in many an unsuspected nook and
+corner, and bringing now and then some
+hidden seed to blossom in beauty and fragrance.</p>
+
+<p>Only one of her schoolmates ever suspected
+that it was her thoughtful care for Gracie's
+character and feelings, her sweet forgiving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>
+spirit which led her to forget past injuries,
+which had won for her the gift of the much
+coveted doll, and given her a high place in the
+love and admiration of the few who knew all
+the story.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 68px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image32.jpg" width="68" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;">Cambridge: Press of John Wilson and Son.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+
+
+
+<div class="transnote">
+
+<big>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</big>
+
+<p>Obvious printer errors have been corrected.
+Otherwise, the author's original spelling,
+punctuation and hyphenation have been left
+intact.</p>
+</div>
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44123 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #44123 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44123)
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jessie's Parrot, by Joanna Mathews
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Jessie's Parrot
+
+Author: Joanna Mathews
+
+Release Date: November 7, 2013 [EBook #44123]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JESSIE'S PARROT ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Melissa McDaniel, Chris Whitehead and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+(This file was produced from images generously made
+available by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image1-coverpage.jpg" id="coverpage" width="600" height="831" alt="Cover" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h2 style="margin-top: 4em;"><em>LITTLE SUNBEAMS.</em></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img src="images/image4.jpg" width="28" height="3" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>IV.</h2>
+
+<h1 style="margin-bottom: 4em;">JESSIE'S PARROT.</h1>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>By the author of this Volume.</h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 1em;" src="images/image4.jpg" width="28" height="3" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>I.</big></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>LITTLE SUNBEAMS.</big></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>By <span class="smcap">Joanna H. Mathews</span></big>, Author of the "Bessie Books."</p>
+
+<table class="centered" border="0" cellpadding="2" width="80%" summary="Books">
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">I.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Belle Powers' Locket.</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;16mo</td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">$1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">II.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Dora's Motto.</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;16mo</td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">III.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Lily Norris' Enemy</span></td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">IV.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Jessie's Parrot</span></td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;">V.</td> <td><span class="smcap">Mamie's Watchword</span></td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">1.00</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 2em;" src="images/image3.jpg" width="28" height="6" alt="fancy line" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>II.</big></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>THE FLOWERETS.</big></p>
+
+
+<table class="centered" border="0" cellpadding="2" width="80%" summary="Books">
+<tr><td>A series of Stories on the Commandments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6 vols.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In a box</td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: right;">$3.60</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 1em;">"It is not easy to say too good a word for this admirable series.
+Interesting, graphic, impressive, they teach with great distinctness the
+cardinal lessons which they would have the youthful reader learn."&mdash;<em>S. S. Times.</em></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 2em;" src="images/image3.jpg" width="28" height="6" alt="fancy line" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>III.</big></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;"><big>THE BESSIE BOOKS.</big></p>
+
+<table class="centered" border="0" cellpadding="2" width="80%" summary="Books">
+<tr><td>6 vols.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In a box</td> <td style="text-align: right;">$7.50</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 1em;">"Bessie is a very charming specimen of little girlhood. It is a lovely
+story of home and nursery life among a family of bright, merry little
+children."&mdash;<em>Presbyterian.</em></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 2em;" src="images/image4.jpg" width="28" height="3" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em;">ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,</p>
+<p class="center"><em>New York</em>.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;">
+<img class="border" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;" src="images/image6.jpg" width="450" height="643" alt="Jessie's Parrot." />
+</div>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 25%;">Jessie's Parrot.</p>
+
+<p class="center">FRONTISPIECE.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="title-page" style="margin-bottom: 2em;">
+<h2>JESSIE'S PARROT.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 3em;"><big>"A HAUGHTY SPIRIT GOETH BEFORE A FALL."</big></p>
+
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 3em;">"He that is down need fear no fall,<br />
+He that is low no pride,<br />
+He that is humble ever shall<br />
+Have God to be his guide."<br /></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;">BY</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 1em;">JOANNA H. MATHEWS,</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 6em;">AUTHOR OF THE "BESSIE BOOKS" AND THE "FLOWERETS."</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<p class="center">NEW YORK:</p>
+<p class="center">ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">530 Broadway.</span></p>
+<p class="center">1876.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 2em;">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by</p>
+<p class="center">ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,</p>
+<p class="center">In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 8em;">CAMBRIDGE:</p>
+<p class="center">PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 36px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 1em;" src="images/image5.jpg" width="36" height="4" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<table class="centered" border="0" cellpadding="10" width="60%" summary="CONTENTS.">
+
+<tr><th style="text-align: right;">CHAP.</th>             <th></th>                         <th style="text-align: right;">PAGE</th></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#bird">I.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The New Scholar</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">9</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#excursion">II.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">An Excursion</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">31</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#grandfather">III.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Jessie and her Grandfather</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">52</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#parrot">IV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Parrot</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">69</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#grandmamma">V.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Grandmamma Howard</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">90</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#jealousy">VI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Jealousy</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">110</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#misfortune">VII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">A Misfortune</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">129</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#spider">VIII.</a></td> <td>"<span class="smcap">The Spider and the Fly</span>"</td> <td style="text-align: right;">148</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#guilty">IX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">A Guilty Conscience</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">168</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#game">X.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">A Game of Characters</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">189</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#confession">XI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Confession</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">205</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#fair">XII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Fair</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;">223</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 242px;">
+<a name="bird" id="bird"><img src="images/image7.jpg" width="242" height="125" alt="bird" />
+</a></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 28px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 2em;" src="images/image4.jpg" width="28" height="3" alt="line" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>JESSIE'S PARROT.</h2>
+
+<h2>I.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>THE NEW SCHOLAR.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-f.jpg"
+width="49" height="50" alt="f" />
+</div><p><span class="dropletter">"F</span>ANNY LEROY is going away from
+our school," said Carrie Ransom
+one morning to Belle Powers and
+two or three more of her young schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! I'm sorry," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," said Dora Johnson. "Why is
+she going?"</p>
+
+<p>"Has she finished her education, and is she
+never going to school any more?" asked
+Mabel Walton.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no," said Belle; "she's nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
+but a little girl; and you don't finish your
+education till you're quite grown up and have
+long dresses."</p>
+
+<p>"Why is she going away?" asked Lily.
+"I don't want her to go. I like Fanny."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I. She's real nice," said Carrie;
+"but she is going, for all, 'cause her father
+and mother and all her family are going to
+Europe and she is going with them."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish she wouldn't," said Belle; and
+one and another echoed their sorrow at the
+loss of their schoolmate.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny had always been well liked in the
+school; but now that they were about to lose
+her the little girls found that they were even
+more fond of her than they had supposed, and
+many regrets were expressed when, a moment
+later, she came in accompanied by Gracie
+Howard.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny herself was very melancholy and
+low, for this was to be the last day at school,
+as she informed the other children; the journey
+to Europe having been decided upon rather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>
+suddenly, and the departure was to take place
+within a few days. Nevertheless, although
+she was sorry to part with her teacher and
+classmates, and in mortal dread of the voyage,
+she felt herself rather of a heroine, and entitled
+to be made much of.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have an empty place in our school
+then," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Fanny, "for my cousin Hattie
+is coming to take my place; it is all arranged,
+and Miss Ashton says she can come."</p>
+
+<p>"Is she nice?" asked Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;yes," answered Fanny, half doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't seem to think she's so <em>very</em>,"
+said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>No, Fanny evidently had her own opinion
+on this subject; but as she was not a child
+who was ready to speak ill of the absent, she
+would not say more than she could help. But
+the interest and curiosity of her schoolmates
+were aroused, and they could not be satisfied
+without hearing more.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I know Hattie," said Gracie Howard, who
+was more intimate with Fanny and her family
+than any of the other children,&mdash;"I know
+Hattie, and I like her. She thinks I am very
+nice. She told me so."</p>
+
+<p>This was plainly the highest of recommendations
+in Gracie's eyes. Any one who admired
+her was sure of her favor; but this fact did
+not have quite as much weight with her companions
+as it did with herself, and they turned
+once more to Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>"But tell us, Fanny," said Lily Norris,
+"why don't you like her so very much?"</p>
+
+<p>Fanny looked, as she felt, uncomfortable
+at this close question.</p>
+
+<p>"Why," she answered reluctantly, "I do
+like her; she's my cousin, you know, so I have
+to; but then&mdash;but then&mdash;I think I'll let you
+wait till she comes to find out the kind of girl
+she is. Maybe you'll like her very much. Gracie
+does."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny had her own doubts whether Gracie
+or any of the others would always continue to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+like Hattie as well as they might do upon a
+first acquaintance; but she very properly and
+generously resolved not to tell tales and prejudice
+the minds of the other children against
+the new comer. Better to give Hattie all the
+chance she could and let it be her own fault
+if she were not popular with her classmates.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot say that Fanny reasoned this out
+in just such words; but the kind thought was
+in her mind, and she resolved to hold her
+peace and say nothing unkind about her
+cousin. Would Hattie have done as much for
+her or for any one else? You shall judge for
+yourself by and by.</p>
+
+<p>The parting with Fanny was rather a sad
+one, for the children were all fond of her, and
+she took it so very hardly herself, declaring
+that she never expected to see any one of them
+again. For Fanny, though a very good and
+amiable little girl, was one who was apt to
+"borrow trouble," as the saying is; that is,
+she was always worrying herself about misfortunes
+which would, could, or might happen to
+herself or her friends.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Therefore she now expressed her expectation
+of never seeing any of her young friends
+again, and when Lily very naturally inquired
+if the family meant to stay "for ever an' ever
+an' ever," said, "No, but people were very
+often drowned when they went to Europe in a
+steamer, and very likely she would be."</p>
+
+<p>Nor was she to be persuaded to take a more
+cheerful view of the future, even when Dora
+Johnson suggested that many more people
+crossed the ocean and returned in safety than
+were lost upon it. She was determined to
+dwell upon the possibilities, and even probabilities
+of her being shipwrecked, and took
+leave of her schoolmates with a view to such
+a fate.</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny did not act as if she thought we'd
+like her cousin Hattie very much, did she?"
+questioned Nellie Ransom as she walked
+homeward with Gracie Howard, Dora Johnson,
+and Laura Middleton.</p>
+
+<p>"No, she did not," said Laura. "Fanny
+don't tell tales or say unkind things about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+people, but it was quite plain she does
+not think so very much of Hattie Leroy."</p>
+
+<p>"I know the reason why," said Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Laura.</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny said something very hateful about
+me," answered Gracie, "and Hattie told me
+of it; and just for that Fanny was mad at
+Hattie."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I should think Fanny might be
+mad," said Laura. "Hattie had no right to
+tell you if Fanny didn't mean her to, and
+I don't believe she did."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Gracie, "I don't suppose Fanny
+did want me to know it; but then she had no
+business to say it."</p>
+
+<p>"Hattie had no business to repeat it," said
+Dora indignantly; "if she is that kind of a
+girl I don't wonder Fanny don't like her,
+and I wish she was not coming to our
+school."</p>
+
+<p>"What did Fanny say?" asked Laura, who
+had her full share of curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"She said&mdash;she-er&mdash;she-er&mdash;I'm not going<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+to tell you what she said," answered Gracie,
+who was really ashamed to confess what slight
+cause for offence Fanny had given, and that it
+was her own wounded self-love which made it
+appear so "hateful."</p>
+
+<p>But although Gracie would not tell her
+schoolmates, I shall tell you, for I know all
+about it.</p>
+
+<p>The mighty trouble was just this.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie Leroy had but lately come to live in
+the city, and just when her parents were looking
+around for a good school to send her to,
+Fanny's papa and mamma made up their
+minds to take her abroad. This left her place
+vacant in Miss Ashton's class, and, as you
+have heard, it was at once secured for her
+little cousin.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Gracie and Hattie, who had met
+at Fanny's house, had struck up a violent
+<em>intimate friendship</em> and were now much
+together.</p>
+
+<p>As may be supposed, Hattie was very curious
+respecting her future teacher and classmates,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+and asked both Fanny and Gracie many questions
+about them.</p>
+
+<p>But, although the accounts given by the
+two children agreed in most points, yet, in
+some way, the story told by Gracie left a very
+different impression from that of Fanny. The
+latter thought her teacher and classmates very
+nearly, if not quite, perfect, and bestowed her
+praise freely and without stint. Well, and if you
+had heard Gracie's report you might have said
+that she did the same; but whenever Gracie
+said one good word for another she said a
+dozen for herself. One girl was a very bright
+scholar, but she stood second to Gracie;
+another was always punctual and steady, but
+Gracie had still a higher number of marks for
+these two virtues&mdash;or at least if she did not
+<em>have</em> them, she <em>deserved</em> them, and it was the
+fault of some one else that they had not fallen
+to her share. Nellie Ransom wrote such fine
+compositions; but then, they were by no means
+to be compared to Gracie's own,&mdash;oh, dear, no!
+So it was with each and every one; whatever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+merit any child in the class possessed, Gracie's
+went beyond it.</p>
+
+<p>So at last Hattie quite naturally asked
+Fanny if Gracie were really the best child, the
+finest scholar, and the most admired and praised
+of all her classmates.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no," answered Fanny; "Gracie is a
+very good scholar, and 'most always knows her
+lessons perfectly; but Nellie is even better than
+she is, and has kept the head of the spelling
+and history classes ever so long. And she
+generally writes the best compositions; but
+Gracie don't think so, and always says Miss
+Ashton is unjust if she gives Nellie the highest
+marks. But Gracie <em>is</em> very smart, and can
+learn quicker than any of the rest of us; and
+she 'most always behaves well in school too."</p>
+
+<p>"Better than any one else?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Fanny, rather indignantly;
+"there's lots of the children that are just as
+good as she is. She's not the best one in the
+school at all. She's good enough, but not so
+wonderful."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"She thinks she is," said Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"That's nothing," answered Fanny; "people's
+thinking they are a thing don't make them
+that thing, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you think Gracie is conceited and
+thinks a great deal of herself, do you?" asked
+Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes," answered Fanny, though half
+reluctantly; "no one could help thinking that,
+you know."</p>
+
+<p>Fanny expressed herself in this manner
+more as a way of <em>excusing</em> her own opinion of
+Gracie than as accusing her little playmate.</p>
+
+<p>"Who do you think <em>is</em> the best child in all
+the school?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," answered Fanny, after a moment's
+reflection, "I b'lieve Belle Powers is. At
+least I think it is the best in her to be as good
+as she is, for she has to try pretty hard sometimes."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" asked inquisitive Hattie again.</p>
+
+<p>"Because she has no mother, and she has
+always been a good deal spoiled by her papa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>
+and her old nurse. But I never saw any child
+who wanted to be good more than Belle, and
+she tries very much; and we are all very fond
+of her, and Miss Ashton excuses her things
+sometimes because she is sorry for her."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't that make you mad?" said Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Fanny with much energy;
+"we'd be real mean if we were mad when
+Belle has no mother. No, indeed; no one
+could bear to have Belle scolded; we all love
+her too much."</p>
+
+<p>Now this was seemingly a most innocent
+conversation; was it not? and one could hardly
+have supposed that it would have made trouble
+for poor Fanny as it did.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie and Fanny lived within a few doors
+of one another, the latter a little nearer to
+Miss Ashton's house than the former; and
+Gracie was in the habit of stopping for Fanny
+on her way to school that they might walk
+there together.</p>
+
+<p>But one morning a day or two after this,
+Fanny, standing by the window and watching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+for her young friend as usual, saw her go by
+with her maid without so much as turning
+her head or casting her eye up at the window
+where she must know Fanny awaited her.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the queerest thing I ever knew," said
+Fanny to her father as she walked along by his
+side a few moments later; "it 'most seems as
+if Gracie was offended with me to do so; but
+then she can't be, for I have not done a thing
+to her. I shall ask her right away, as soon as
+I am at school."</p>
+
+<p>But Fanny was only just in time to take off
+her hat and cloak and go to her seat before the
+bell rang, and so had no opportunity before
+school to inquire into the cause of Gracie's
+strange behavior.</p>
+
+<p>There was no need of words, however, to
+show that Gracie was indeed offended with her,
+for averted looks and scornful tossings of the
+head showed that plainly enough. Poor Fanny
+was hurt and uncomfortable, and vainly tried to
+imagine what she could have done that offended
+Gracie so much.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She ran to her as soon as recess gave her
+liberty to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Gracie! what is the matter?" she
+asked. "Why did you not stop for me this
+morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Cause I did not choose to," answered
+Gracie shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you mad with me?" asked Fanny,
+putting a very unnecessary question, for it was
+quite plain to all beholders that this was
+Gracie's state of mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am; and I have a good right to be
+too," answered Gracie, her eyes flashing at
+Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>"What <em>have</em> I done?" asked the innocent
+Fanny.</p>
+
+<p>"You need not pretend you don't know,
+Miss Hateful," replied Gracie, "nor pretend
+you haven't a guilty conscience. I've found
+you out! I'll never be friends with you
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to tell Fanny what it is, and
+let her make it up," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"She can't make it up. I've found her out
+before it was too late. She is a false, treacherous
+friend," said Gracie, waxing magnificent
+and severe in her reproaches, as she imagined.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Fanny, a tender-hearted, sensitive
+little thing, was overwhelmed by these upbraidings,
+which she was not conscious of deserving;
+but neither her entreaties nor those of the
+other children could draw more than this from
+Gracie, who turned away from them with an
+air of great offence, and holding her head
+very high with insulted dignity.</p>
+
+<p>"Augh!" said Lily Norris, who generally
+took up the cudgels in defence of any one
+whom she considered oppressed or injured, and
+who generally contrived to be quite as cutting
+and severe in her remarks as the offender had
+been; "you had better take care, Gracie;
+some day that nose of yours won't come down
+again, it is growing so used to sticking itself
+up at people. If when you're grown up
+people call you 'stuck-up-nose Miss Howard,'
+you won't feel very complimented; but you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+can just remember it is the consequence of
+your being such a proudy when you was
+young."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie made no reply, except by raising
+both nose and head higher still, which
+expressive motion Lily answered by saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, <em>don't</em> I feel like giving you a good
+slap!" with which she walked away, fearing
+perhaps that she might be too strongly
+tempted to put her desire into execution.</p>
+
+<p>Fanny was a good deal distressed, and the
+other children all felt much sympathy for her,
+for, as you will doubtless do, they thought
+Gracie's behavior not only unkind but also
+unjust.</p>
+
+<p>For, although such scenes as this were
+becoming quite too frequent in consequence
+of Gracie's ever increasing vanity and conceit,
+she generally was ready enough to proclaim
+the cause of offence; but now she was not
+only "hateful," as Lily called it, but "mysterious"
+also, and would give Fanny no opportunity
+of explaining the supposed grievance.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Fanny went home both unhappy and vexed,&mdash;Gracie
+still carrying matters with a high
+hand and refusing even to walk on the same
+side of the street with her&mdash;and finding her
+cousin there, as was quite natural, she told her
+of the trouble with Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>Had Fanny not been too much disturbed to
+pay much attention to Hattie's manner, she
+might have seen that she looked uncomfortable
+when she told her story, fidgeting and coloring
+and having so little to say that Fanny
+thought her wanting in sympathy. But it was
+not until the next day that she discovered that
+Hattie was really the cause of the difficulty
+with Gracie. By that time she had heard
+that she was to sail for Europe in a few days,
+and this made her more unwilling than ever to
+be on bad terms with her young friend.</p>
+
+<p>Meeting Gracie in the street, the poor little
+grieved heart overflowed, and rushing up to
+her, Fanny exclaimed, "Oh, Gracie! don't
+be cross with me any more, for I'm going to
+Europe, and I expect I'll be drowned in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+steamer, and then you'll be sorry you did not
+make up with me."</p>
+
+<p>This affecting prospect somewhat mollified
+Gracie's vexation; but still she answered in a
+tone of strong resentment,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then; and why did you say hateful
+things about me to Hattie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," said Fanny, who had so little intention
+of making unkind remarks about
+Gracie that she had really forgotten her conversation
+with Hattie. "I didn't. I never
+said a thing about you."</p>
+
+<p>"Hattie said you did," answered Gracie;
+"she says you told her I thought myself very
+wonderful, but I was not; and that 'most all
+the girls were better scholars than me."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," said Fanny indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>"And she says," continued Gracie, "that
+you said 'cause I thought myself good did not
+make me good, and that Nellie wrote better
+compositions than I did. And she says"&mdash;this
+was plainly the first and worst count in
+Gracie's eyes&mdash;"she says you said no one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+could help knowing I was conceited and stuck
+up."</p>
+
+<p>This last speech suddenly recalled to Fanny's
+mind what she <em>had</em> said, and she was dismayed;
+nor could she see how she was to explain it to
+Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>She was fond of Gracie, who, when her self-conceit
+did not come in her way, was really a
+pleasant and lovable child; and, oh! how she
+did wish she had never allowed Hattie to lead
+her into that conversation about her schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>She colored violently and exclaimed,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I did say that, but I did not say it
+in that way, Gracie. I don't quite know how
+it was, but it did not seem so bad as that when
+I said it. And Hattie asked me, so I couldn't
+help saying what I thought; but it wasn't of
+my own accord and&mdash;and&mdash;well, you know,
+Gracie, most all of us do think you think
+a good deal of yourself&mdash;but&mdash;oh, dear! it
+was too mean for Hattie to go and tell you;
+and somehow I suppose she's made you think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+it was worse than it was. 'Cause I didn't
+mean to say any thing hateful about you; but
+Hattie asked such a lot of questions, and I
+never thought she'd go and tell; and I'm
+going away, and I expect I'll never come back,
+and, oh, dear, it's too mean!"</p>
+
+<p>All this Fanny poured forth in a very distressed
+and excited manner, finishing by a
+burst of tears.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, it was indeed "too mean," and Gracie
+felt that Fanny had been shabbily treated.
+She had listened to Hattie's tell-tale report
+with a half-ashamed feeling, knowing that
+Fanny could never have thought that her
+words would be repeated; and, although anger
+and mortification had taken a strong hold
+upon her heart, she could not help seeing that
+Fanny had more cause of complaint than
+she had.</p>
+
+<p>So she put her arm about Fanny's neck, and,
+with what she considered magnanimous forgiveness,
+told her not to cry any more and she
+would "stop being mad."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And when they talked the matter over and
+Fanny recalled what she <em>had</em> said, both of
+Gracie and of the other children in the class,
+it could not but be seen that Hattie had exaggerated
+as well as "told tales," so making
+mischief and bringing discord between the two
+little friends. And had Fanny been revengeful,
+or too proud to overlook Gracie's unkindness
+and beg her to tell her what had come between
+them the trouble might have been lasting, and
+they have parted for a long time with bitterness
+and resentment rankling in their breasts.</p>
+
+<p>But now there was peace between them once
+more, though Gracie did still secretly feel
+some vexation at Fanny for even allowing that
+she could be wrong, and took great credit to
+herself for being so forgiving and generous.</p>
+
+<p>And now you will not wonder that Fanny
+did not feel disposed to think Hattie "so very
+nice," although she, far more generous and
+charitable than her cousin, would not tell tales
+and prejudice the minds of her future schoolmates
+against her.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But Gracie hardly thought the less of
+Hattie for what she had learned of her; for
+she always liked any one who admired her,
+and this Hattie professed to do; perhaps she
+really did so, for, as I have said, Gracie was
+a pleasant child, and very clever in many
+things.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 69px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image8.jpg" width="69" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 214px;">
+<a name="excursion" id="excursion"><img src="images/image9.jpg" width="214" height="125" alt="birds" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>II.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>AN EXCURSION.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-a.jpg"
+width="53" height="50" alt="a" />
+</div><p><span class="dropletter">"A</span> LARGE omnibus stood before the door
+of Miss Ashton's house, and had been
+waiting there some minutes. This
+was on a street where a line of omnibuses ran,
+and every now and then some would-be passenger
+made for the door of this one, when the
+driver would turn and say something which
+plainly disappointed him of his ride, at least
+in this particular stage.</p>
+
+<p>If such an individual chanced to glance up
+at the windows of Miss Ashton's house, he
+saw there a row of little faces in each of the
+parlor windows; and these same faces brimming
+over with smiles and dimples at the sight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+of his discomfiture, and the consciousness that
+this omnibus had been chartered for their
+especial pleasure and convenience, and that no
+mere passer-by had any right or title therein.</p>
+
+<p>Some people smiled in return to the happy
+little group, and nodded good-naturedly, as if
+to say,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! it is all right, and we are glad
+you are going to enjoy yourselves, and hope
+you will have a very pleasant time;" but one
+or two looked cross, frowning and shaking their
+heads or shoulders in a displeased manner,
+and as if they had no sympathy with any simple
+pleasure or frolic.</p>
+
+<p>Upon each and all of these did the little
+observers pass remarks, according to what they
+believed to be their deserts.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at that man," said Belle Powers,
+"how very displeased he looks. Just as cross
+as any thing, because the driver wouldn't let
+him go in our stage."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe he likes children," said
+Bessie Bradford.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No," said her sister Maggie, "I think he
+cannot be one of the happy kind the Bible
+speaks about, that have their 'quivers full of
+them,' for which he is to be pitied, and we
+need not be very severe with him."</p>
+
+<p>"But can't people like children and be glad
+they are going to have a nice time, even if they
+don't have any in their own homes?" asked
+Carrie Ransom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course," said Maggie, always ready
+to find excuses for others; "but then probably
+that gentleman never had nice times himself
+when he was a child, and so he does not
+know how to appreciate them."</p>
+
+<p>Maggie's long words and elegant sentences
+always settled any doubtful point, and the
+"cross gentleman," who still stood upon the
+sidewalk waiting for the next passing omnibus,
+was now regarded with eyes of sympathy and
+pity, which were quite lost upon him as he
+scolded and grumbled at the "fuss that was
+made nowadays about children's pleasures."</p>
+
+<p>"Chartered for a troop of youngsters," he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+growled forth to another gentleman, who coming
+up also opened the door of the omnibus,
+and would have jumped in.</p>
+
+<p>Upon which the new-comer drew back,
+looked up smilingly at the windows of the
+house, nodded and waved his hand, receiving
+in return blushes and smiles for himself, with
+an answering nod or two from some of the
+least shy of the group.</p>
+
+<p>"He's glad," said Lily; "he is a nice gentleman,
+and I expect he has lots of little children
+who love him dearly, and that he tries to give
+them a good time."</p>
+
+<p>"And so is made happy himself," said
+Maggie. "There comes Patrick with the
+shawls and wraps."</p>
+
+<p>And now came Miss Ashton and a couple of
+lady friends, who had volunteered to go with
+her and help take care of the little party,
+bound for an excursion and ramble in the
+Central Park; and the signal being given for
+the merry group to take their places in the
+stage, forth they all fluttered, like so many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>
+birds; and amid much laughing and chattering
+stowed themselves away in the roomy conveyance.</p>
+
+<p>They were all seated, and Patrick, Mrs.
+Bradford's man, who had been <em>lent</em> for the
+occasion, was mounting to his seat beside the
+driver, when another gentleman, coming up
+with a quick step, pulled open the door of the
+omnibus, and popped in. He was plainly
+shortsighted, and did not see how matters stood
+until he was fairly inside and looking about
+for a seat.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps, indeed, his hearing taught him
+first, for he might almost have thought himself
+in a nest of sparrows with all that chirping
+and fluttering. A smothered laugh or two
+also broke forth as he entered, and he speedily
+saw that he had no right to a place there.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! private, I see. Beg your pardon,
+ladies," he said good-naturedly, and jumped
+out again, turning with a bow, and "I wish
+you a pleasant time." Then, as he caught
+sight of a roguish face and a pair of dancing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+eyes watching him with a look of recognition,
+he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Lily, my dear! Glad to see you.
+Bound for a frolic? I hope you may enjoy
+yourself; and your schoolmates as well. A
+merry day to you, birdies." With which he
+banged the door and watched them off.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's that gentleman, Lily?" asked more
+than one voice.</p>
+
+<p>"He is Kitty Raymond's father. His name
+is Mr. Raymond," answered Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"He is a nice, pleasant gentleman, is he
+not?" asked Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes, he is very pleasant," said Lily,
+"but then he is an awful liar."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh-h-h! ah! ah!" broke from one and another
+of the children at Lily's very plain speaking;
+and Miss Ashton said reprovingly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Lily, my child! what a very improper expression
+for you to use, and of one so much
+older than yourself, too."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," said Lily, "it is true, Miss
+Ashton. I know he tells the most dreadful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+untrue stories, and that does make him a liar,
+I know. If children say what is very untrue,
+people say it is a lie; and when grown-ups
+say what is not true to children I don't see
+why they are not liars all the same. And Mr.
+Raymond don't tell little stories what you
+would call <em>fibs</em>, either, but real big, true <em>lies</em>,
+what Tom calls whoppers. So, though he is
+pleasant and good-natured, I don't think he is
+so very nice; and I'm glad he is not my papa."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton hardly knew what to say, for if
+Lily's accusations were true,&mdash;and the child
+was not apt to accuse any one wrongfully,&mdash;her
+reasoning was quite just, and it was plainly
+to be seen that in some way her sense of right
+and truth had been grievously offended. But
+still she did not wish to have her speak in such
+an improper way, and she was about to say
+so again, when Lily broke forth once more
+with,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Ashton, I'll tell you, and you can
+just judge for yourself. The other day I was
+spending the afternoon with Kitty, and her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+little brother wanted to go down stairs with
+us, and his papa did not want him to go; so he
+told him that the big black man in the closet
+in the hall would catch him and put him up the
+chimney. And it <em>was a lie</em>! I say it was a
+real, true lie," persisted Lily, who was apt to
+be emphatic in her choice of words, "for Mr.
+Raymond knew there was no black man there,
+and he just made it up."</p>
+
+<p>"Was the little boy frightened?" asked
+Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, as frightened as any thing, and he
+really believes there is a black man in that
+closet; and Willie Raymond, who is six years
+old, will not go past that closet without some
+big person. And I did feel not very brave
+myself when I went past it," confessed Lily,
+"for all I knew there was no black man there&mdash;and
+if there was, he wouldn't hurt me, the
+poor, old fellow&mdash;and knew it was just a&mdash;well,
+if Miss Ashton says so, I'll call it a <em>fib</em>,
+but I shall <em>think</em> it was a lie."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton and the other ladies could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+hardly help smiling at Lily's tone; and the
+former felt that the child was so far right that
+she could scarcely reprove her again for her
+indignant attack upon this too common form
+of deceit.</p>
+
+<p>"And Mr. Raymond went and winked at me,
+just as if he thought <em>I</em> thought it was funny,"
+pursued Lily; "but I thought it was only horrid,
+and I didn't smile a bit, but looked back at him
+very solemn. No, I don't like him, and I'm
+not going to."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't like him because you can't respect
+him," said Bessie with solemn gravity.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I just don't," answered Lily; "and
+I'm not going to go and have a respect for a
+person who tells&mdash;who says what is not
+true, not if they are as big and as old as a
+mountain."</p>
+
+<p>Lily's resolution was received with general
+approval; but now, at her suggestion, the subject
+was changed. There was enough to talk
+about without taking any unpleasant thing;
+and how those little tongues did go!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was a mild, lovely day in the early spring,
+uncommonly warm for the season,&mdash;just the
+day for an excursion. Modest crocuses, lovely
+hyacinths and gay tulips were in bloom; the
+willows were just clothing themselves in their
+first tender green, and every stream and spring
+rippled and sparkled and sang as if it were
+rejoicing in its new life and liberty.</p>
+
+<p>The park was fairly alive with children, who,
+like our little party, seemed determined to enjoy
+this bright, spring day to the utmost; but perhaps
+none were so gleeful and merry as our
+young friends.</p>
+
+<p>The windows of the omnibus were open, and
+the little girls had all scrambled upon their
+knees that they might the better see what was
+without; and many a grave countenance was
+won to smiles by the sight of the bright, joyous
+faces as they rolled past, and the merry peals
+of laughter which every now and then broke
+forth from the cumbrous vehicle. And they
+scattered not only smiles and bright looks
+wherever they went, but other good things also.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mabel Walton, who considered it almost impossible
+to enjoy oneself without a quantity of
+candies and sugar-plums on hand, had been
+furnished by her over-indulgent mother with a
+large supply of these delicacies; nor were most
+of the others without their share; so that Miss
+Ashton looked with some dismay upon the
+treasures which were displayed by one and
+another, fearing that her little flock might surfeit
+themselves with too many sweets before
+the day was over.</p>
+
+<p>However, her mind was soon relieved, at
+least in a measure. For Mabel having doled
+out a handful of sugar-plums to each of her
+companions, Bessie Bradford called out as the
+carriage rolled slowly up a hilly part of the
+road,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! see that little girl; what a nice face
+she has. But she looks so pale and sorry. I
+wish I had some pennies for her; but I will
+give her some of my sugar-plums. Perhaps
+she don't have many."</p>
+
+<p>Poor child! she looked as if she had not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+many loaves of bread, as she ran by the side
+of the omnibus, holding up her thin hand. A
+pale, sorrowful little face it was that looked up
+into those, so rosy and happy, above it; pinched,
+careworn, and old above its years, with that
+look so often seen in the faces of the children
+of the poor. Yet, in spite of her extreme
+poverty, she was not very ragged or very
+dirty; and as little Bessie had said, she
+had "a nice face," an open, straightforward
+look, a gentle expression, and a clear, honest
+eye.</p>
+
+<p>As she saw Bessie's hand outstretched, her
+face brightened, and as the little girl dropped
+two or three sugar-plums, she stooped hastily to
+pick them up; but when she raised her head
+again, the old weary look had come back, deepened
+now by disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the driver whipped up his horses
+and the omnibus rolled on faster, leaving the
+child looking sadly after it, and making no
+attempt to pick up the sugar-plums now thrown
+out freely by all the little girls.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why! she looks as if she didn't like
+sugar-plums," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Impossible!" said Maggie. "There never
+could be a person so wanting in sense as not
+to like sugar-plums."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe that man who lived in a tub did
+not," said Lily. "Maggie, I was very much
+interested in that man when you wrote to me
+about him, and I meant to ask you a little
+more about him, but I did not think he could
+be a <em>wise</em> man. What was his name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Diogenes," said Maggie; "and the
+reason they called the old cross-patch a wise
+man was because wise men were very scarce
+in those days. They only had seven in all
+that country; but when you are as far as I am
+in Parley's History you will learn all about
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what did make that little girl
+look so sorry," said Bessie, unable to forget
+the look of disappointment so plainly visible
+on the child's face.</p>
+
+<p>"I think, darling," said Miss Ashton, "that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+she expected pennies when she saw you were
+about to throw something out, and so was not
+satisfied with the candies. There was something
+interesting and sweet in her face."</p>
+
+<p>"Here are some more poor children," said
+Bessie; "let's drop some sugar-plums to them
+and see if they care about them."</p>
+
+<p>There could be no doubt as to the approbation
+of these new recipients of the bounty of
+our little friends. At first it was difficult to
+tell whether the pleasure was most enjoyed by
+those within the omnibus who scattered with
+liberal hand, or by the outsiders who gathered
+the harvest; but as the enthusiasm of these
+last drew new claimants, and all waxed more
+and more clamorous, it soon became an annoyance,
+and Miss Ashton was obliged to put a
+stop to the shower, which had already received
+a check, as some of the younger children were
+becoming frightened.</p>
+
+<p>But Patrick and the driver were forced to
+threaten the obstreperous crowd, and even to
+call for the aid of a policeman before they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+could be scattered, so that this diversion did
+not end so agreeably.</p>
+
+<p>There was one thing gained, however, in
+Miss Ashton's opinion; and this was that the
+greater part of the sugar-plums had been disposed
+of, without hurt to her young charge.</p>
+
+<p>Not that she objected to sugar-plums altogether.
+Do not think, my little readers, that
+she was, as Maggie would have said, so "wanting
+in sense," as that; but she had been rather
+appalled by the sight of the numerous tempting
+looking parcels that were produced, to say
+nothing of Mabel's over-abundant supply.</p>
+
+<p>Our gay party made the round of the park,
+stopping for a while at any place of interest,
+and now and then alighting if they were
+so inclined. They hung for some time
+about the paddock where the deer are kept,
+putting their little hands through the palings
+and trying to tempt the pretty, gentle creatures
+to come nearer. But the deer were not to be
+persuaded and although they watched the
+children with their mild, soft eyes in a very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
+amiable manner, they held aloof and would
+not condescend to a closer acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>The swans were less timid, and, as the children
+flocked down to the border of the lake
+with their hands full of crackers and bread,
+came swimming up, arching their graceful
+necks, and looking eagerly for the bits with
+which they were speedily treated. It was
+enchanting to see them so friendly, and to
+have them feed from one's very hand.</p>
+
+<p>The old gray arsenal, with its collection of
+wild animals, was not to be visited until after
+they had taken their lunch. As they passed
+the Casino on their way up through the park,
+Patrick had been left there to make all ready
+for them; and now they drove back and
+alighted. Pleasant and mild though the day
+was, the ground was still too cold and the air
+too fresh to permit of lunching out of doors;
+and, although the children entreated that they
+might be permitted to do so, Miss Ashton was
+too wise to yield.</p>
+
+<p>The lunch was not quite ready when they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+reached the Casino, and the children were
+permitted to wander around and amuse themselves
+as they pleased for a few moments, provided
+they did not lose sight of the house, or
+go beyond call.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie, Lily, and Belle had strolled a short
+distance away together, and had disappeared
+from the view of Maggie, Nellie, and Dora, who
+stood at the head of a short flight of stone
+steps leading up to the Casino. They had but
+gone around the other side of the hedge, however,
+and could not be far off.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Lily and Belle came flying back
+with frightened faces, and rushed breathless
+and panting to where the other children stood.</p>
+
+<p>Then Belle turned, and exclaimed,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where's Bessie? Didn't Bessie come?"</p>
+
+<p>No Bessie was to be seen, certainly; and
+Maggie, noticing the startled faces of the other
+children, took alarm at once for her little sister,
+and started forward, crying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where is she? What has happened?
+Where's my Bessie?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Before Belle or Lily could speak, Hattie
+darted from behind the hedge, laughing and
+mischievous; and, pointing her finger at the
+crimson faces of the two little ones, cried
+triumphantly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! didn't I take you in? Didn't I give
+you a fright, though?"</p>
+
+<p>"What is it? Where's Bessie?" said Maggie
+again.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie sat down upon the lower step, and
+doubling herself over and rocking back and
+forth, said between paroxysms of laughter,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! Bessie is round there talking to
+the old fellow. She's all right. Didn't I play
+you two geese a nice trick, though? How you
+did run! I didn't think you could be so taken
+in. Oh, what fun!"</p>
+
+<p>"What!" exclaimed Lily, indignation taking
+the place of her alarm, "were you tricking
+us? Didn't he try to take your hair? Hattie,
+Hattie! you mean, mean girl! And you told
+us a real wicked story, too. How dare you do
+it?" And Lily stamped her foot at Hattie, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+a real passion at the trick which had been
+played upon her.</p>
+
+<p>The effect was different upon Belle. She
+was a sensitive little thing, easily overcome
+by any undue excitement; and, throwing herself
+upon Maggie, she burst into a violent fit
+of sobbing and crying.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton and her friends heard and came
+to inquire into the trouble; and Hattie was
+now rather frightened herself as she saw the
+effect of her foolish deceit.</p>
+
+<p>Lily indignantly told the story, which
+amounted to this. It was a well-known fact,
+and had unfortunately come to the ears of our
+little girls, that some man had lately attacked
+several children, and suddenly severed the hair
+from their heads, making off as fast as possible
+after he had done so. He did this for the
+sake of the hair, which he probably sold; but
+he was, of course, a bad man and a thief, and
+the children all felt much dread of him.</p>
+
+<p>So when Hattie had come flying up to Bessie,
+Belle, and Lily, without any hat, and seemingly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+in a state of the wildest excitement, and
+had told them, with every appearance of truth
+and of being herself excessively frightened,
+that "that old man there" had snatched off
+her hat and tried to cut her hair, they had
+readily believed her&mdash;as an old man was
+really there&mdash;and had turned about and run
+away in great alarm. They had been terrified
+half out of their senses; and now here was
+Hattie confessing&mdash;yes, glorying, till Miss
+Ashton came&mdash;that she had "tricked" them,
+that she was "only in fun," it was all "a
+joke."</p>
+
+<p>But her triumph was speedily brought to an
+end, when Miss Ashton saw Belle's state, and
+heard how it had been brought about. She
+sternly reprimanded Hattie, and bade her go
+into the house, and remain there.</p>
+
+<p>But where was Bessie?</p>
+
+<p>The other children declared that "an old
+man was really there;" and, in spite of Hattie's
+confession that she had only been joking,
+Maggie's mind was filled with visions of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+little sister's sunny curls in the hands of a
+ruffian; and away she flew in search of her,
+quite regardless of any supposed risk to her
+own wealth of dark, waving ringlets.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 83px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image10.jpg" width="83" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 223px;">
+<a name="grandfather" id="grandfather"><img src="images/image11.jpg" width="223" height="125" alt="sheep" />
+</a></div>
+
+
+<h2>III.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>JESSIE AND HER GRANDFATHER.</em></big></p>
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-w.jpg"
+width="51" height="50" alt="w" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">W</span>HERE was Bessie?</p>
+
+<p>When Lily and Belle turned to run
+from the figure which Hattie pointed
+out as that of the man who attacked her, she
+started with them, quite as much alarmed as
+the other two; and, if they thought about it
+at all, they imagined she was close behind them.
+But she had gone only a few steps when she
+heard a voice, a weak voice, calling after herself
+and her companions, and saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be afraid, little girls; don't run away,
+little ladies. Couldn't ye stop a minute to
+help an old man?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Something in the tones touched the tender
+little heart of Bessie; and she checked her
+steps, ready to start again, however, on the
+shortest notice, and looked back at the old
+man.</p>
+
+<p>A very old man he seemed, and a very
+feeble old man, scarcely able, if he had the
+will, to run after active little girls, or to do
+them any harm. His hair was very white,
+and his face pinched and thin; but he looked
+kind and gentle, as Bessie saw, even from the
+distance at which she stood; and her fears
+died away as she looked at him.</p>
+
+<p>The old man sat upon a bank; and Bessie
+stood hesitating and watching him, trying to
+make up her mind to go and ask if he was in
+trouble. She saw that he had dropped his
+stick, which had rolled away, and lay on the
+ground just beyond his reach.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you do an old man a kindness, and
+give him his stick, little Miss?" he called to
+her, pointing at the same time to the cane.
+"Why did ye all run that way? I wouldn't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+hurt a hair of your heads, more than I would
+of my own Jessie's."</p>
+
+<p>This reference to the "hair on their heads"
+was rather unfortunate, for it startled Bessie
+again, and brought back the cause for alarm.
+Was the old man really in trouble, and unable
+to reach his stick? she thought, or was this
+only a trap to catch her, and deprive her of
+her curls?</p>
+
+<p>So she stood still, hesitating; and the old
+man, as if in despair of receiving any help from
+her, tried to raise himself a little, and stretched
+out his trembling hand towards the stick. But
+it was useless; it lay too far; he could not
+rise without its aid, and he sank back again,
+looking more helpless and feeble than before.
+This was too much for Bessie. She could not
+bear to see suffering and not try to relieve it;
+and it seemed to her that it would be cruel and
+wicked not to lend a helping hand to this poor
+old creature.</p>
+
+<p>"Please, dear Father in heaven, not to let
+him hurt me," she whispered softly to herself;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+and then walked slowly towards the old man,
+her little heart beating painfully, it must be
+confessed, in spite of her petition, and the
+trust that it would be heard.</p>
+
+<p>Keeping at as great a distance as it would
+allow, she stooped for the stick, and held it out
+at arm's length to the owner.</p>
+
+<p>"Now may He that blesses the cup of cold
+water given in His name reward you," said the
+old man, as he took it from the timid little
+hand; "but why are you frightened at me,
+dear, and why did the other little ones run as
+if they were scared half out of their lives?
+When you passed all in the big stage, laughing
+and so gay, it put a warmth into my heart
+that hasn't been there for many a day, and I
+b'lieve it was your own loving, little face that
+smiled back at me as I waved my hat to
+you for a blessing on your joy. Why, I
+wouldn't hurt a living thing; least of all, little
+girls that always mind me of my Jessie.
+Though it's different enough that you are from
+her, my poor lamb," he added in a lower tone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+which Bessie could not have heard had she not
+now drawn nearer to him.</p>
+
+<p>For with the first words of the old man's
+speech, all fear had vanished from her mind.
+He had called down a blessing on her in a
+name which she knew and loved, and she
+could not be afraid of him longer. Besides,
+now that she looked at him more closely and
+with unprejudiced eyes, she recognized him,
+and remembered how, as he said, when the
+stage had passed him with its merry load, he
+had taken off his hat and feebly cheered and
+waved to them as they went by.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you try to cut off little girls' hair?"
+she could not help asking, in spite of her
+new confidence.</p>
+
+<p>"I?" answered the old man surprised; "and
+why would I do that? Ah! I see. Did you
+take me for <em>that</em> fellow? My little lady, they
+have him fast in jail, as he deserves; but how did
+you ever think I would do a thing like that?"</p>
+
+<p>"A little girl said you tried to cut hers,"
+answered the child.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then that little girl slandered an old man
+who had never harmed her," he said gravely.
+"I understand; she's frightened you for her
+own fun, or whatever it may be. Well, I'm
+up now,"&mdash;he had slowly and painfully raised
+himself by the help of his cane,&mdash;"and I'd
+better be moving away, or the sight of me
+after that may spoil your pleasure. It was hard
+in her to turn you against one who would never
+have harmed you; but you're a sensible little
+lady, and a kind, and you'll never be the worse
+for doing a good turn to an old man."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't go away," said Bessie, "the other
+children won't be afraid of you when I tell
+them Hattie&mdash;was&mdash;was&mdash;mistaken." Bessie
+feared that Hattie's tale was more than a
+mistake, but she would not accuse her until
+she was sure. "They won't want you to go
+away, poor, lame man."</p>
+
+<p>"Jessie stays so long," he answered, looking
+about him helplessly. "She sat me here
+to rest a while, and I think she can't know
+how long she's been gone."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Before Bessie could speak again, around the
+hedge came Maggie, who stopped short in
+amazement at seeing her sister standing talking
+sociably to the dreaded old man. And
+with her curls all safe!</p>
+
+<p>Maggie could hardly believe her own eyes.
+She went forward more slowly, till Bessie
+called to her,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"O Maggie, dear! this old man wouldn't
+hurt us, or cut our hair for any thing. He
+likes little girls, and it made him feel badly
+because we ran away from him, and he is going
+away now 'cause he thinks we don't like him.
+Come and tell him not to."</p>
+
+<p>Timid Maggie, feeling very doubtful, but
+determined to share her sister's risk, whatever
+that might be&mdash;she had almost forgotten that
+Hattie had confessed she only wanted to trick
+them all&mdash;drew still nearer, and taking
+Bessie's hand, gazed up at the old man with
+eyes in which pity and sympathy began to
+struggle with her former fear. He looked so
+poor and feeble and helpless, so little like
+doing harm to any one.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And now came Dora and Gracie, who had
+followed Maggie in search of Bessie; and as
+the little group gathered about the old man,
+Bessie said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your Jessie? Can we call her to
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't tell, little Miss," he answered.
+"I've been sitting here more than an hour, I
+take it. Jessie was so eager about her parrot
+that she has maybe forgotten how long she's
+been away. Ah! there she comes now."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, a child came running towards
+them, but seeing the group about her grandfather,
+paused in amazement at a short distance.</p>
+
+<p>It was the very same little girl to whom
+they had thrown sugar-plums but an hour
+since, and who had looked so disappointed.
+The children recognized her immediately.</p>
+
+<p>"Why! that's the little girl who was not
+pleased with our sugar-plums," said Bessie.
+"Is that your Jessie?"</p>
+
+<p>The old man beckoned to her, and she came
+forward.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"This is my Jessie, Miss," he answered,
+"and a good girl she is too. I don't know
+what her old grandfather would do without
+her. She's given up the dearest thing she had
+for me, bless her!"</p>
+
+<p>Jessie was now standing beside her grandfather,
+blushing and hanging her head at the
+notice thus drawn upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"What was that?" asked Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"Her parrot, Miss. A splendid parrot that
+her father, who's now dead and gone, brought
+her from beyond the seas. You'd think he
+was a human creature 'most, to hear him talk,
+and she loved him next to her old grandfather;
+but she parted with him for my sake."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you like him?" asked Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, Miss. I was 'most as fond of
+the bird as she was herself; but it wasn't to be
+helped. You see I was sick so long, and the
+doctor bid me take a medicine that cost a
+deal of money, to drive the pain out of my
+bones; and how were we to get it when we'd
+not enough to buy bread from day to day, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+to pay the rent that was due? So she sold her
+bird, for I can't do a hand's turn of work just
+yet."</p>
+
+<p>"That was good of her," said Gracie; "did
+she get all the money she wanted for him?"</p>
+
+<p>"More than we expected, Miss, for the man
+that keeps the house here," pointing to the
+Casino, "gave her ten dollars for him. And
+he lets her see him every day, and says when
+the summer is over she may have him back
+for eight dollars if she can raise it. For Poll
+draws people to the refreshment place, you
+see, with his funny ways, and his wonderful
+talk, and the keeper thinks he'll get two dollars
+worth out of him before the summer is
+over. But, Jessie 'll never raise all that
+money, though I have put by my pride, and let
+her ask charity here of the folks in the Park."</p>
+
+<p>"And I don't feel that I ought to take it for
+that, either," said Jessie, as soon as the talkative
+old man paused for breath, and let her have
+a chance to speak, "'cause grandfather needs so
+many things, and the rent will be falling due<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+before long again, so I must save up for straws
+and ribbon."</p>
+
+<p>"For what?" asked Bessie, while at the
+same moment Dora said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you find some work and earn
+money that way?"</p>
+
+<p>"For straws and ribbon, Miss," said Jessie,
+answering Bessie's question first; then turning
+to Dora, she added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I would work, Miss, and I do, when I have
+the things. I make little baskets and catchalls,
+and allumette holders of ribbon and straw
+and beads, and I sell them wherever I can;
+but the stock was all gone long ago, and I've
+no more to begin on."</p>
+
+<p>"But," said Dora, "if people give you
+money, why don't you take that to buy your
+materials?"</p>
+
+<p>Jessie shook her head sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"It has taken every cent that's been given
+to me to buy just bread enough for me and
+grandfather to eat, Miss," she said; "there
+was nothing to spare for any thing else, and any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+way it is an uncertain thing, the selling of the
+baskets, till the weather is pleasant and warm,
+and people like to stop. Now, you see, is the
+time for me to be making them ready; but
+there's no use in thinking about it, and as for
+Poll,"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Jessie's sigh and filling eyes told of the
+despair with which she thought of the recovery
+of her pet.</p>
+
+<p>"I have some money in my charity-box at
+home," said Maggie eagerly; "I'll give you
+some to buy straws and ribbon. I have no
+money with me, but Miss Ashton will lend me
+some for such a good purpose, I know, and I'll
+pay her as soon as we go home. I'll run and
+ask her."</p>
+
+<p>But there was no need, for there was
+Miss Ashton come in search of her stray lambs,
+and in two minutes she had heard the story.</p>
+
+<p>Heard it, but scarcely understood it, for that
+was difficult with one and another putting in a
+word, patching it out in various bits; to say
+nothing of the circumstance that our little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+girls themselves scarcely understood what they
+were talking about.</p>
+
+<p>Jessie and her grandfather&mdash;who had nothing
+to say now that the lady had come, and who
+stood close to one another, the old man holding
+his hat in his hand and leaning on his stick&mdash;were
+somewhat confused themselves by the chatter
+and flutter of the eager little talkers; and
+when Miss Ashton turned to the latter and
+began to inquire into his story, his usual flow
+of words seemed to have failed him.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton spoke to Jessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Grandfather was just telling the little
+ladies about my Polly, ma'am," she said
+modestly. "If they'd like to see him he's in
+the house there. And if you'd like to have
+him show off he'll talk better for me than for
+any one else, and I'll go and coax him."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! can we go and see him?" said Bessie;
+and Jessie once more saying, yes, and that she
+would go with them, the little girls ran off,
+while Miss Ashton remained to hear the old
+man's story.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was a sad, but by no means an uncommon
+one. Jessie's mother had died when she was
+a baby. Her father, who was mate on a sailing-vessel,
+had been drowned at sea about two
+years ago. Until his death, his wages,
+together with what the old man made at stone-cutting,
+had supported them all in comfort.
+And even after that, the grandfather and the
+child had continued to keep along on what the
+former earned. Jessie, who was twelve years
+old, had been to school pretty steadily till a
+year ago, could "read and write and do up
+sums," and had also learned to sew.</p>
+
+<p>But about that time the grandfather had
+taken a heavy cold, from being thoroughly wet
+with rain while at his work; and, neglecting to
+change his clothes, it had settled in all his
+joints, and a long and painful rheumatic illness
+followed. All the last summer he had lain
+bound hand and foot, the pretty trifles which
+Jessie had learned to make the sole support
+of the two. But with the winter the sale of her
+little wares had fallen off, poverty and suffering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+had increased upon them, and they had gone
+from bad to worse, till, as he had told the little
+girls, Jessie had been forced to sell her beloved
+parrot to keep a roof above their heads, and
+to buy the medicine so much needed for her
+grandfather. They had some help from the
+church at which they attended, but that was
+little. And now that it was warmer weather,
+and Jessie could begin to sell her wares, she
+had no money to buy materials, and he had
+consented that she should ask charity of
+passers-by, and so gain a few shillings to begin
+her trade.</p>
+
+<p>They lived over there in a sad, tumble-down
+place, the old man said, "and he never thought
+to bring his Jessie to that; but the Lord had
+His own ways, and when He saw fit, He could
+take them out of this trouble."</p>
+
+<p>The story was told with a straightforward
+simplicity, and a natural pathos which went
+far to convince Miss Ashton that it must be
+true; but she took down the name and address
+of the clergyman of whom the old man spoke.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+This gentleman lived in one of the streets
+bordering on the Park, and Miss Ashton resolved
+to see him and hear his report before
+she left for home. If these poor people were
+really in such need, and deserving of help, she
+could not let them suffer longer than was necessary.</p>
+
+<p>She told old Malcolm&mdash;for that he said was
+his name&mdash;that he did not do well to rest
+upon the bank. The ground, she said, was not
+yet warm enough for his aching bones.</p>
+
+<p>But he answered that it was far better than
+the damp, cold shanty where he and Jessie had
+lived for the last two months, for here on a
+bright day he had the sunshine, and the fresh,
+clear air, and little of either of these ever
+found their way into the miserable cabin.</p>
+
+<p>Malcolm's language and manner, as well as
+those of his grand-daughter, showed that he
+had indeed been used to "better days;" and
+he seemed so patient and uncomplaining that
+Miss Ashton felt much interested in him,
+and anxious to do something for his relief.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She bade him come farther on, and find a
+seat upon a pleasant, sunny bench, where she
+would furnish him and Jessie with some food;
+but when she said this, he told her some of the
+little ones of her party were afraid of him,
+and he did not wish to trouble them.</p>
+
+<p>He looked troubled himself when he said
+this; and Miss Ashton had to tell him that
+one of her young scholars had been so foolish
+and wrong as to tell a falsehood&mdash;she could
+call it nothing less&mdash;to frighten the others;
+but that they all knew the truth now, and would
+be afraid of him no longer.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 158px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image12.jpg" width="158" height="50" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;">
+<a name="parrot" id="parrot"><img src="images/image13.jpg" width="225" height="125" alt="Bird nest and birds" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>IV.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>THE PARROT.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-m.jpg"
+width="49" height="50" alt="m" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">M</span>EANWHILE the children were amusing
+themselves with the parrot. The
+whole flock had followed Jessie to
+make his acquaintance, Maggie having called
+the others to join them; and even the still sobbing
+Belle forgot her troubles in this new
+object of interest.</p>
+
+<p>The bird proved to be in a most amiable
+and sociable humor; and, to the great delight
+of his former little mistress, exhibited himself
+in a most gratifying manner.</p>
+
+<p>His cage was placed before a little stand
+just outside of a window opening upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+verandah; and when the children first saw
+him he was swinging head downwards from
+one of the bars, hanging by one claw, and appearing
+to take no notice of any thing until
+Jessie called to him.</p>
+
+<p>Then he put out the other claw, and swung
+himself upright; immediately commencing a
+kind of dance upon his perch, as if in an
+ecstacy, and calling out,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Jessie! Jessie! pretty Jessie, good Jessie."</p>
+
+<p>"Good Polly," said Jessie, while the children
+gathered around in great delight. "How
+are you, Polly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Polly pretty well; Polly all right," answered
+the bird.</p>
+
+<p>The little girls were astonished, as indeed
+were the ladies who had accompanied them.
+Not one among the group but had often seen
+parrots who would repeat certain set phrases,
+but this bird actually answered questions, and
+as if he understood them too.</p>
+
+<p>"What does Polly want?" asked Jessie, delighted
+at the sensation her pet was producing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Polly want a bit of sugar," answered the
+bird.</p>
+
+<p>Jessie put her hand into her pocket, and
+produced one of the sugar-plums the children
+had thrown to her, and held it up before the
+parrot's greedy eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Dance a jig then, and sing a song, Polly,"
+she said.</p>
+
+<p>Polly forthwith commenced a kind of seesaw
+on his perch, swaying his body back and
+forth, balancing himself first on one foot, then
+on the other, in a measured sort of way which
+he probably supposed to be dancing. At any
+rate, his audience were contented to accept it
+as such, and he met with continued applause,
+until suddenly bringing his gyrations to
+a close he screamed in a loud, discordant
+voice,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sugar!"</p>
+
+<p>"Sing then," said Jessie.</p>
+
+<p>In a sharp, cracked, but very distinct voice,
+and with some resemblance to a tune, the parrot
+began,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Mary had a little lamb,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Its fleece was white as snow,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And everywhere that"&mdash;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Here he came to an abrupt close, eying the
+sugar-plum wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Sing it," said Jessie; and he began again.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Mary had a little lamb,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Its fleece was white as snow,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And everywhere that Mary went,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">The lamb&mdash;sugar&mdash;sugar&mdash;sugar,"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>screamed the creature, amid peals of laughter
+from the children, who now begged that he
+might have the coveted reward, which Jessie
+accordingly gave him.</p>
+
+<p>"He knows it all," she said; "but I can
+hardly ever make him sing it through."</p>
+
+<p>Poll took the sugar-plum gingerly in one
+claw, and sat nibbling at it till it was all gone,
+while the children crowded around him, admiring
+his gay, bright-colored feathers, and
+expressing their wonder at his accomplishments
+and sense.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you must show off some more,"
+said Jessie, when the bird had disposed of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+his feast. "Polly, where is the naughty
+child?"</p>
+
+<p>To the intense delight of the children, Poll
+began to scream and cry exactly like a passionate
+child, after which he laughed and chuckled
+with satisfaction at his own performances,
+then crowed like a rooster, baa-ed like a nanny-goat,
+barked like a dog, and mewed like a cat.
+After all this he took up intelligent conversation
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"Polly's a pr-r-r-etty bird; Polly's a good
+bird; Polly's a wise bird," he screamed, in all
+of which his little hearers entirely agreed.</p>
+
+<p>"Who do you love, Polly?" asked Jessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Polly love Jessie; Jessie a good girl," was
+the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's your master, Polly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Bob Malcolm gone to sea. Good-bye,
+good-bye, good-bye," screamed the parrot.</p>
+
+<p>"Sing a song of"&mdash;began Jessie, and the
+parrot took up the strain.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Sing a song of sixpence,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">A pocket full of rye"&mdash;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>
+<p>Here he came to a stop, nor could he be
+coaxed to finish the couplet, though Jessie
+assured the audience that he could, if he chose,
+sing the first four lines of the old song all
+through.</p>
+
+<p>However, he condescended to repeat some
+of his former performances. But it would
+take too long to tell all the feats of this remarkable
+bird; and you must not think that these
+I have related are quite impossible, for I have
+seen a parrot who could do all that is here
+described, and more too. The children were
+so interested and amused that they could
+scarcely be persuaded to leave him when
+Patrick announced that their lunch was ready;
+and Jessie, who was bidden by Miss Ashton to
+join her grandfather and share the meal provided
+for him, was begged to keep within call,
+so that they might return to the entertainment
+when they had finished their lunch.</p>
+
+<p>While this was going on, Miss Ashton told
+the story she had heard from old Malcolm, and
+said that she was so much interested in him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+and his grandchild, that she would go after
+lunch and see the clergyman, while the little
+girls amused themselves for a while under the
+care of the other ladies. She carried out this
+purpose, and went on her kind errand, followed
+by many a hope that she would find the story
+all correct.</p>
+
+<p>But when the children went back to the
+parrot they were disappointed, for he proved
+cross or tired or in a less sociable mood than
+he had been before, and he very rudely turned
+his back upon them, and would utter no words
+save,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Hold your tongue! Hold your tongue!"
+every time any one spoke to him. So, finding
+this neither polite nor amusing, the company
+left him and scattered themselves in search of
+other entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>"How sober you look, Maggie; what are
+you thinking about?" asked Hattie Leroy,
+coming up to where Maggie Bradford stood
+leaning upon a stone railing.</p>
+
+<p>Maggie looked thoughtful, it may be, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+hardly sober, for her thoughts seemed pleasant
+ones, to judge by the light in her eye, and the
+half smile upon her lip.</p>
+
+<p>"I have an idea," said Maggie, "and I
+think it's a nice one, at least if we are allowed
+to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Maggie, "I don't care to have
+it talked about very much till we know if we
+can do it; but I was thinking it would be so
+nice if we could have a little fair, just
+ourselves, you know, the school-children and
+Bessie and me. I know some children who
+had a fair in their own house, and they made
+money enough to pay for a bed in St. Luke's
+Hospital for a poor, lame child; and I thought
+perhaps we could make enough to buy back
+Jessie's parrot for her; and to make a more
+comfortable home for them. We could make
+things for the fair, and ask our friends to help
+us. Mamma would make some for us, I know,
+and so will Aunt Annie, and, I think, Aunt
+Bessie and Aunt May."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Where could we have it?" asked Hattie,
+who seemed much interested.</p>
+
+<p>"In one of our own houses," said Maggie, "or,&mdash;that
+was another thought I had,&mdash;perhaps
+Miss Ashton would be so very good as to let us
+have it at her house. The piazza would be
+lovely for it; and she generally lets us have
+some party-ish kind of a thing when school
+breaks up. Last year we had a giving of
+prizes; and at Christmas we had a Christmas
+festival, and a queen both times."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Hattie, "and Gracie said it was
+shameful that you were queen both times.
+She thinks it was very selfish in you."</p>
+
+<p>Maggie colored violently.</p>
+
+<p>"The queen was chosen," she said, "and the
+girls chose me. I did not make myself queen."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Gracie did not like it one bit," said
+Hattie, "and she thinks you had no right to be
+queen when you did not go to the school the
+last time."</p>
+
+<p>Maggie was silent, but the gladness was
+gone from her face.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't it be too cold to have the fair on
+the piazza?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Not by the time we are ready," said Maggie.
+"You know it will take a good while to
+make enough things, and Miss Ashton does
+not close the school till the first of June. I
+heard her tell mamma so the other day. And
+by that time it will be quite warm and pleasant,
+and there will be plenty of flowers. I
+was thinking we could dress the piazza with
+wreaths and festoons and flags; and we could
+make some kind of a throne and canopy at one
+end. And there we could have the flower-table
+and the queen behind it, with some maids of
+honor to sell flowers."</p>
+
+<p>If Maggie imagined that Hattie would
+express any admiration or approval of her
+plan, she was mistaken. Hattie seemed interested,
+and asked a great many questions, as to
+how Maggie would arrange such and such
+matters, but she did not act as if she thought
+the "idea" very fine after all, and this was
+rather different from the way in which Maggie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+was accustomed to have her plans received.
+But she did not care for that; she was not a
+vain child, constantly seeking for admiration,
+and she was too full of her subject to pay much
+heed to Hattie's cool way of hearing this
+one.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to say much about it till I
+see if mamma approves," she said. "Then
+I'll ask Miss Ashton and tell all the children
+about it. There are Bessie and Lily beckoning
+to me; let us go and see what they want."</p>
+
+<p>And away she ran, intending to tell her
+sister and Belle and Lily of her plan on the
+first convenient opportunity; but not willing,
+as she had said, to make it public till she
+learned if it could be carried out. She did
+not yet feel as if she knew Hattie very well,
+and she was rather astonished at herself for
+having talked so freely to her; but the truth
+was, that Hattie had come upon her rather unawares,
+and asked her what she was thinking
+of, at the moment when she was turning her
+"idea" over in her mind, and she had told her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
+almost without reflection. Still she did not
+exactly regret having done so, and, after what
+she had said, never supposed that Hattie would
+mention what she had told her.</p>
+
+<p>Upright, honorable Maggie judged others by
+herself, and was entirely unsuspicious of evil.</p>
+
+<p>It would take too much space in this little
+book, and you would not care to have a
+particular description of all the various points
+of interest visited by our party throughout
+the day,&mdash;the Arsenal with its collection of
+wild beasts and monkeys; the great reservoir
+with its blue water, looking like a lake within
+walls, as indeed it is; the lovely Ramble
+through which they wandered for a long time,
+and many another pleasant spot. They are all
+familiar to many of you, and those to whom
+they are not, may make acquaintance with
+them some day.</p>
+
+<p>You may be sure that Miss Ashton did not
+leave old Malcolm and his grand-daughter
+without some remembrance of this day, for she
+was not only very sorry for them and felt that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>
+they were really in need of assistance, but she
+also knew that Jessie and her wonderful bird
+had added much to the entertainment of her
+little flock. She gave Jessie money enough to
+furnish herself with materials to begin her little
+trade again, and, leaving her address with her,
+bade her bring some of her pretty toys to her
+house when they should be made.</p>
+
+<p>They were all in the omnibus once more,
+and had started on their homeward way, all
+rather tired and quiet with the day's ramble,
+when what was Maggie's astonishment to hear
+Hattie say,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Ashton, Maggie and I have such a
+very nice plan. We thought we might have a
+fair, just us children, and ask our friends to
+help us; and then we could sell the things we
+made, or that were given to us, and so earn a
+good deal of money to help Jessie and her
+grandfather, and to buy back the parrot for
+her. And we might have it when the weather
+is warm and pleasant, just before school closes,
+so that we could have it out of doors; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+perhaps, Miss Ashton, you would not mind
+letting us hold it on your piazza and in the
+garden. And Jessie might make some of her
+pretty baskets and things for it, and we could
+sell them for her. We thought we could raise
+a good deal of money that way, for almost all
+our friends would be glad to come."</p>
+
+<p>It would be hard to tell whether indignation
+or surprise was uppermost in Maggie's mind,
+as she sat utterly speechless and confounded,
+while Hattie ran on thus, disclosing in this
+public manner the plans which she had said
+were to be kept secret until her own mamma
+and Miss Ashton had heard and approved of
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, here was Hattie not only doing this,
+but speaking as if she had been the inventor
+of the cherished "idea," and as if Maggie had
+only fallen in with it, perhaps helped it out a
+little.</p>
+
+<p>Maggie was too shy to speak out as many
+children would have done, and to say,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"That was my plan, Miss Ashton. I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+the first one to think of that;" and she
+sat with her color changing, and her eyes fixed
+wonderingly and reproachfully on Hattie as
+she spoke, feeling somehow as if she had been
+wronged, and yet not exactly seeing the way
+to right herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! that would be delightful," said Gracie.
+"Miss Ashton, do you think you could let us
+do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I might," said Miss Ashton. "That
+is not a bad idea, Hattie. I will talk to my
+mother about it and see what she thinks, and
+you may all tell your friends at home, and
+learn if they approve."</p>
+
+<p>"If we could have the fair on your piazza,"
+continued Hattie eagerly, "we could dress it
+up very prettily with wreaths and flowers, and
+we could make a kind of a bower at one end, and
+choose one of the girls for a queen, and let it
+be her throne-room, and there we could have
+the flower-table. Some of the children told
+me you always let them have a festival before
+vacation, Miss Ashton; and we might put it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+off till a little later, so that it would be warm
+and pleasant, and we should have plenty of
+flowers."</p>
+
+<p>There was not one of the children who did
+not raise her voice in favor of the new plan
+except Nellie Ransom, who sat opposite to
+Maggie, and who watched her changing face,
+and looked from her to Hattie with inquiring
+and rather suspicious looks.</p>
+
+<p>Lily clapped her hands, and almost sprang
+from her seat.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll begin to work for the fair this very
+evening!" she said. "No more of your putting
+off for me. I'll bring down mamma's
+ribbon-box and worsted-box, if she'll let me,
+and ask her what I can have, and to-morrow
+I'll ask her to let me make something."</p>
+
+<p>"And we'll ask mamma and Aunt Annie,
+won't we, Maggie?" said Bessie; "and
+Belle, we'll ask them for some things for you
+too."</p>
+
+<p>Bessie received no answer from Maggie, who,
+feeling as if the whole matter had been taken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+out of her hands, poor child, and as if she had
+been robbed of her property, dared not speak,
+lest she should burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>"I have a whole lot of money saved up,"
+said Lily, "and I'll take some of it to buy
+what I want to make pretty things, and keep
+the rest to spend at the fair."</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you to pay your missionary money
+to our box yet?" asked Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I haven't paid it yet," said Lily, "but
+I don't know if I will give a dollar this year.
+I've supported the heathen for two years now,
+and I think I'd like a little change of charity.
+Wouldn't you, Maggie?"</p>
+
+<p>Maggie only nodded assent, scarce knowing
+what question she was replying to.</p>
+
+<p>"Maggie," said Belle, "you don't seem
+very interested; why don't you talk about
+the fair and give us new ideas, as you 'most
+always do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Does something provoke you or trouble
+you, Maggie, dear?" asked Bessie, looking
+into her sister's perplexed face.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hattie," said Nellie suddenly, fixing her
+eyes searchingly on the little girl she addressed,
+"what put that idea of the fair into your
+head?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" answered Hattie in some confusion,
+"I&mdash;that is, we, Maggie and I, just thought
+it would be nice, and so we talked about it a
+little, and made up our minds to ask Miss
+Ashton about it."</p>
+
+<p>Quick-witted Lily caught Nellie's suspicion,
+and so did Bessie; and the former, who had
+worn an air of displeasure with Hattie ever since
+the affair of the morning, asked promptly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Who was the <em>first</em> to make up that idea,&mdash;the
+fair and the queen in the flower bower,
+and dressing the piazza and all? Who was it,
+I say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," answered Hattie reluctantly,
+"Maggie was the first to think about it, and
+we talked it over together and arranged it
+all."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it!" cried Lily triumphantly; "I just
+knew it was Maggie. It sounds just like her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+making up. Hattie," she added reproachfully,
+"you tried to make us think it was yours."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," said Hattie. "I never said so."</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't just <em>say</em> so," said Bessie
+solemnly, "but you tried to give that <em>depression</em>."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," pouted Hattie again; "and we
+did talk about it together, didn't we, Maggie?"</p>
+
+<p>Maggie only gave a faint smile by way of
+answer, for she felt that she could not honestly
+allow that Hattie had suggested one single
+idea; and still she was too generous to wish
+to blame her more than she could avoid.</p>
+
+<p>And for the second time that day was Hattie
+made to feel that her want of strict truthfulness
+had lowered her in the eyes of her young
+companions.</p>
+
+<p>"Umph!" said Lily severely; "appears to
+me, Miss Hattie"&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>But she was not allowed to finish the intended
+reproach, for Miss Ashton, seeing symptoms
+of a quarrel, hastened to avert it, and
+gently bade Lily be quiet.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lily obeyed; but her eye still rested sternly
+upon Hattie, and the latter was forced to bear
+more than one disapproving gaze during the
+remainder of the drive home.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid," said Miss Ashton to her
+mother that evening, "that Hattie Leroy is by
+no means a truthful child;" and she told of
+the occurrences of the day, adding that it was
+not the first time she had noticed a want of
+openness and uprightness, little acted deceits,
+a keeping back of the whole truth, and even,
+now and then a deliberate falsehood; and
+more than all, a manner of repeating a thing
+which gave it a very different meaning from
+what the speaker intended, so often making
+mischief and discomfort.</p>
+
+<p>"That is bad, very bad," said Mrs. Ashton;
+"it may affect the other children."</p>
+
+<p>"I would rather hope that they may have a
+good influence on her," answered her daughter.
+"The standard of truth is so high in our
+school, thanks, I believe, to dear little Bessie
+Bradford, Maggie, Belle, and one or two others,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+that any departure from it is considered a very
+serious offence. Lily, with all her thoughtlessness
+and love of mischief, is strictly truthful;
+so are Dora and Nellie. Gracie is the only one
+for whom I fear, for, although I think she would
+be shocked at the idea of telling a deliberate
+untruth, her conceit and wish to be first are so
+great that they often lead her to exaggerate
+and give a false coloring to what she says of
+herself as compared with others."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 98px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image14.jpg" width="98" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 217px;">
+<a name="grandmamma" id="grandmamma"><img src="images/image15.jpg" width="217" height="125" alt="Bird in nest" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>V.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>GRANDMAMMA HOWARD.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-t.jpg"
+width="50" height="50" alt="t" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">T</span>HE proposal for the fair met with a
+pretty general approval from the
+parents and friends of the little girls,
+and they received many promises of help.</p>
+
+<p>"Aunt Annie" undertook to show Maggie,
+Bessie, and Belle how to make any pretty
+articles they might wish to undertake. Lily's
+mamma did the same for her, and none of the
+children were left entirely without assistance.</p>
+
+<p>When Jessie came to Miss Ashton with her
+pretty little wares, she was told what was proposed,
+and bidden to have as large a supply as
+possible, so that they might be offered for sale
+with the other articles; and the lady and some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+of her friends kindly bought so many of those
+already on hand that Jessie was furnished with
+the means of procuring her materials at once.</p>
+
+<p>The older class in Mrs. Ashton's room also
+entered with spirit into the affair, promising all
+the assistance that they could give, so that
+there was good prospect it would be a success.
+The time fixed was the first day of June, if
+the weather should be pleasant; if not, the
+first fair day after that.</p>
+
+<p>One morning Gracie Howard came to school
+in a state of great excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"My grandmamma," she said to the other
+children, "takes the greatest interest in our
+fair, and she is going to give us ever so many
+things for it. She told me to invite you all to
+come to her house this afternoon, and she has
+a whole lot of pieces of silk and ribbons, and
+worsteds and beads, and ever so many lovely
+things to divide among us. And what is better
+still, she says she would like each child to
+make some article expressly for her, and she
+will buy it."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, delightful!" "How kind! how nice!"
+"What a great help!" came from one and
+another of her little hearers.</p>
+
+<p>"And," continued Gracie, warming with
+her subject, "she wants some particular
+things. Two toilet sets of lace and muslin,
+one lined and trimmed with blue, the other
+with pink; and two mats for flower vases, to be
+exactly alike. I am going to do one of the
+mats, and grandmamma says she thinks the
+other one and both the toilet sets had better
+be made by some of us older children, because
+she thinks the little ones can scarcely do them.
+And she will give ten dollars for the mat that
+is worked the most nicely and evenly, and
+nine for the other; eight for the best toilet set,
+and seven for the second; and she will give
+us all the materials. Just think of that!
+Why, whoever has the best mat will earn more
+than the price of Jessie's parrot! I wanted
+grandmamma to say that one might have the
+buying of the parrot for her own part; but
+she said that would not be just to the rest who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+had a share in the fair; and that she had no
+right to say so, either. I don't see why, and
+I think she might have let me."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you don't know that you will have
+the nicest mat," said Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"See if I don't then," said Gracie. "I can
+work much better than any of you, I know."</p>
+
+<p>"If I didn't live in such a very glass house
+myself, I'd say <em>petticoat</em> to you," said Lily,
+who had lately shown a fancy for the use of
+proverbs, after the manner of Maggie Bradford.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie tossed her head, and put on the expression
+which children call, "turning up their
+noses."</p>
+
+<p>She knew very well what Lily meant, how
+not long since she had boasted of herself, and
+been so very sure that she would outdo all
+others, and how she had miserably failed in
+the end.</p>
+
+<p>But, in spite of this consciousness, she was
+not at all taken down by Lily's reminder, for
+she felt herself a person of more than usual
+consideration and importance that morning;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>
+not without more than ordinary reason, was
+thought by most of her companions, for it was
+really a fine thing to have such a munificent
+grandmamma, who was ready to do so much
+for the grand object at present in the minds
+of each and every one.</p>
+
+<p>It was true also, and well known in the
+school that Gracie did worsted work remarkably
+well and evenly for a little girl, and that
+there was more reason than common for her
+belief that she should outshine all the others.
+Still her constant boasting was never agreeable,
+and Lily always would set herself to combat it
+with all her might.</p>
+
+<p>"Are not Maggie and Bessie to try with us
+too?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," answered Gracie; "they are
+just as much in the fair as we are; and Maggie
+works so nicely."</p>
+
+<p>"Should think she did," said Lily; "better
+than <em>a-ny&mdash;child&mdash;in&mdash;the&mdash;whole&mdash;world</em>."</p>
+
+<p>The extreme deliberation with which this
+was said, made it very forcible, and gave the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>
+remark all the point which was intended.
+Woe to the person who, in Lily's hearing, ventured
+to deny that her particular friends, Maggie
+and Bessie Bradford, were not all that was
+wisest, best, and prettiest.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides," said Belle, "Bessie was the first
+to find out Jessie and her grandfather, so it
+seems as if it was very much her charity and
+Maggie's. Good-morning, dear Miss Ashton;"
+and little Belle flew to meet her teacher, whom
+she dearly loved, and began to tell her of
+this new and delightful arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>But she had hardly commenced when she
+checked herself, and saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"But it is Gracie's to tell about, and I expect
+she would like to," turned to her schoolmate,
+and allowed her, nothing loath, to take
+up the tale.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton approved, and readily consented
+to what was proposed; but she was sorry
+to see that, as usual, Gracie took the chief credit,
+and claimed the first place for herself in
+the new plan; seeming, as before, not to have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>
+the slightest doubt that her work would be the
+best, and bring the highest premium. However,
+she would say nothing now to damp the
+general pleasure and enthusiasm, but called
+her young flock to the business of the day
+without reproof or remonstrance.</p>
+
+<p>On the way home from school, Gracie
+called to invite Maggie and Bessie to her
+grandmamma's house that afternoon; and at
+the appointed hour the whole "committee," as
+Maggie called it, were assembled in the
+drawing-room of the kind old lady.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Mrs. Howard, "we will settle
+first who among you are to take these pieces
+of work. Gracie seemed to think that all who
+were able to work nicely would prefer worsted
+work, so I have here two pairs of mats, as well
+as the toilet sets; and you may decide for
+yourselves which you will take. As for the
+younger ones, I will leave it to them to choose
+the things they will make for me, as each one
+knows what she is best able to do."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie looked dismayed and displeased at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>
+the first part of her grandmother's speech;
+and, not daring to object aloud, she whispered
+to Hattie, who stood next her,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad! There grandmamma goes
+and gives three chances against me."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, you'll have the first,"
+answered Hattie; "you know you work better
+than any of the others."</p>
+
+<p>"How many of you," continued the old
+lady, "are able to do worsted work nicely?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can, grandmamma, <em>very</em> nicely," said
+Gracie promptly, while the others, more modest
+and shy, looked from one to another.</p>
+
+<p>"Maggie Bradford works very nicely,
+ma'am," said Nellie Ransom.</p>
+
+<p>"And so do you too, my dear, if I'm not
+mistaken," said Mrs. Howard. "Would you
+like to do one of the mats?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you please, ma'am," said Nellie, and
+stepping up, Mrs. Howard gave her her choice
+among the mats.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! you have made the same choice as
+Gracie," said the old lady. "Well, we shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>
+see who will do the best. Gracie, take the
+mat, my dear. Now for the other pair.
+Maggie, will you have one?"</p>
+
+<p>But Maggie held back a little; and at length,
+with many blushes said, that she would prefer
+to take one of the toilet sets, because Bessie
+was anxious to help her, and she could do
+some of the easy sewing on the ruffles, but
+she could not do worsted work evenly enough
+to go with her own.</p>
+
+<p>Dora took one of the second pair of mats;
+and Hattie, who was next in age, and who
+knew very little about embroidering, chose the
+other toilet set, as she believed she could do
+that better than the mat.</p>
+
+<p>Maggie looked wishfully at this, and Mrs.
+Howard saw the look.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like to take this also, Maggie,
+dear?" she said. "You deserve some reward
+for being so unselfish, and if it is not too much
+for you to undertake, you are quite welcome to
+try it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, ma'am!" said Maggie with brightening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+eyes; "we have nearly seven weeks, you
+know, and with Bessie's help, and Aunt Annie
+to arrange all the work for me, I think I could
+do both. But I don't care for a reward, Mrs.
+Howard, for you know if Jessie and her grandfather
+have the money, it does not make much
+difference who does the most."</p>
+
+<p>"No, truly," said Mrs. Howard; "and it is
+not that you may strive to outdo one another
+that I make these offers, but only that you
+may all try your best to have the work well
+done. I am an old-fashioned woman, my
+dears, and I like to see every little girl brought
+up to use her needle properly, and to keep her
+things in order; so I say that it is not so
+much the beauty of the work, as the care
+and neatness with which it is done that I shall
+look at. Keep it from spot or stain, or from
+being frayed or rubbed; this you can all do
+with proper care."</p>
+
+<p>Then Mrs. Howard repeated how much she
+would give for each article, promising also
+once more to buy some pretty trifle from each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+of the younger children; and they all felt as
+if a large sum was already secure for Jessie
+and her grandfather.</p>
+
+<p>After this, the treasures of lace, muslin,
+ribbons, flowers, beads, and worsteds of all
+colors were displayed to their delighted eyes,
+and divided with as much fairness as was
+possible. Not a child but carried home with
+her a most precious package, already in the
+eyes of the little ones transformed into many
+an article of use and beauty for the benefit of
+old Malcolm and his grandchild. The fair was
+now the all-absorbing subject of thought and
+conversation among Miss Ashton's young
+scholars and their little friends, Maggie and
+Bessie Bradford; and a fit of uncommon
+industry had seized upon each and every one.</p>
+
+<p>But, one morning, only two days after the
+meeting of the young people at her house,
+Mrs. Howard was surprised to hear that
+Maggie Bradford wanted to see her; and
+ordering her to be shown in, the little girl
+entered, followed by her sister and nurse.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;">
+<img class="border" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;" src="images/image16.jpg" width="450" height="646" alt="Maggie Bradford visits Mrs. Howard with her sister and nurse." />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Maggie looked flushed and uncomfortable,
+and held a small parcel in her hand; but, after
+she had said good-morning to Mrs. Howard
+a fit of shyness came over her, and she could
+not tell her errand.</p>
+
+<p>So Bessie spoke for her.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Howard," said the little girl, who was
+herself rather confused, but who felt bound
+to help Maggie out of her trouble, "Maggie
+has come to bring you back the mat. She
+thinks it is rather better for her not to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you find you had undertaken too
+much, Maggie, my dear?" asked the old lady
+encouragingly.</p>
+
+<p>"N-n-no, ma'am," whispered Maggie, plucking
+up a few crumbs of courage as she heard
+the kind tone, "no, it was not that; but we
+thought I'd better bring it back to you."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must have some reason," said
+Mrs. Howard. "Can you not tell me what it
+is? Has Gracie been saying any thing unkind
+to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie has not said any thing to me about
+it, ma'am," said Maggie rather evasively.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Please don't ask us, Mrs. Howard," said
+Bessie gravely. "Maggie and I overturned our
+minds about it, and thought we'd better bring
+back the mat; but we do not want to tell
+tales."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall not ask," said Mrs. Howard;
+but from the very fact that Bessie had innocently
+begged that they might not be pressed
+to "tell tales," she felt that her suspicions
+were tolerably correct. Gracie's desire to be
+<em>first</em>, and the fear that others should excel, or
+even equal her, were becoming so great that
+they often blinded her to what was just and
+kind.</p>
+
+<p>"There are plenty of pretty things that we
+can make, Mrs. Howard," said Maggie, "and
+I would rather not do any thing that any one
+might think was not my share."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, dear, as you please," answered
+the old lady; "but since you do not choose to
+make this I shall not give it to any one else."</p>
+
+<p>When Maggie and Bessie had gone, the old
+lady put on her bonnet and went around to her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+son's house, where she found her little
+grand-daughter at home.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," she said, after a little talk,
+"Maggie Bradford came to see me just now,
+bringing back the mat which she was to have
+worked for the fair. Do you know any reason
+why she should have done so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no, grandmamma!" answered Gracie,
+turning her eyes upon her grandmother in unfeigned
+and unmistakable surprise, which left
+no doubt of the perfect truth of her answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Think," said the old lady, believing that
+she might have forgotten. "You know you
+were not pleased that I should give Maggie
+the two things to make for me; have you said
+any thing that could hurt her feelings, and show
+her that you were displeased?"</p>
+
+<p>"I never said one word to Maggie about
+the mat, grandmamma," said Gracie, "and I
+can't see how"&mdash;she paused, as if struck by
+some sudden thought, and coloring, added
+uneasily&mdash;"I did talk to Hattie about it,
+and I was rather provoked, because I did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+not see why Maggie should have a better
+chance than the rest to make so much for the
+fair. And&mdash;and&mdash;perhaps Hattie went and
+told Maggie; but it was real mean of her if
+she did; and besides there was nothing for
+Maggie to be so mad at, and make such a fuss
+about."</p>
+
+<p>"Maggie was not 'mad,' as you call it,
+Gracie; so far from it that she would say
+nothing to throw blame upon you or any one
+else," said her grandmother; "but it was plain
+that she had been vexed and hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said her mother who sat by, "it
+would be a sad thing if <em>you</em> should show yourself
+so wanting in feeling and gratitude as
+to say unkind things of Maggie, or to injure
+her in any way, especially in such a matter as
+this."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, mamma, and I'm sure I wouldn't,"
+said Gracie, with a little pout. "I am very
+fond of Maggie, and I wouldn't do a thing to
+her; but I did feel rather provoked about the
+mat, only I did not mean her to know it. I'm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>
+just going to ask Hattie if she told her what
+I said."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie was really uncomfortable. She
+remembered that she had in a moment of
+pettishness, made one or two remarks to Hattie
+which she would not have cared to make in
+Maggie's hearing; but she would not willingly
+have offended the latter. She knew very well
+to what her mother referred when she spoke
+of Maggie. How a year ago when a prize had
+been offered for composition by Miss Ashton's
+uncle, she and Maggie had been believed to
+stand far ahead of the rest; how her own
+composition, all ready for presentation, had been
+lost, and that through her own inordinate vanity;
+how Maggie and Bessie had found it, and
+like the honorable little girls they were, had
+brought it at once to her, although they believed
+that by so doing Maggie was deprived of all
+chance of the much wished-for prize. It was
+true that neither she nor Maggie had gained it,
+for it had fallen to Nellie Ransom; but that
+did not lessen, or should not have lessened,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+Gracie's gratitude to her little friend; and as
+her mother said, it ill became her to nurse any
+feeling of jealousy towards Maggie.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said her mother, "can you remember
+exactly what you said about Maggie?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, mamma," answered the child, looking
+thoughtful and a little troubled; "but it was
+not much, I think."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid," said Mrs. Howard, "that a
+very little sometimes becomes much in Hattie's
+keeping. I do not know that she really wishes
+to make mischief, but her love of talking and her
+want of strict truthfulness lead her to exaggerate,
+and also, I fear, to repeat many a thing
+with a very different meaning from that which
+the speaker intended. The more I see of her,
+the plainer does this become to me; and I fear,
+Gracie, that she is not a safe friend for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma," said Gracie, in a tone of some
+offence, "you'd never think that Hattie could
+make <em>me</em> learn to tell stories, do you? Why,
+I never told a falsehood in my life, and I'm
+sure I'd never think of doing such a thing."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I hope not, my child," said her
+mother, "but I fear temptation for you, Gracie;
+and I think Hattie encourages you in your
+great fault, your self-conceit and desire for
+admiration. And, although I do not think that
+you ever mean to be untruthful, my daughter,
+your idea of your own merits often leads you
+into exaggeration of these, and makes you
+unwilling to see them in others."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie pouted, and put on the expression she
+always wore if she were found fault with.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma," she said, "I think that is a very
+horrid character to give any one; and I am sure
+you need not think I ever could tell a falsehood
+or do any thing mean to any one."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not say you would, Gracie. I only
+want you to beware of temptation."</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't fall into temptation, no fear of
+that," said Gracie almost scornfully; not scorn
+of her mother, but of the idea that she was not
+quite able to take care of herself, and that she
+could be led into wrong-doing.</p>
+
+<p>"And I shall be obliged to say," continued<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+Mrs. Howard, "that I do not think it best for
+you to be so much with Hattie. She is doing
+you no good. I cannot keep you apart
+altogether, but you must not ask me to let
+you have her here so often, nor can I allow
+you to go to her house as much as you have
+done. When I see you have a more gentle
+and humble spirit, Gracie, and learning to
+stand by another strength than your own, I
+may not so much fear evil companionship for
+you; but this very belief that you cannot fall
+makes you all the more ready to do so."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie flounced out of the room in high
+displeasure, muttering to herself as she went
+upstairs that her mother always thought "every
+one better than me," and "it was very unjust,"
+and "just as if I could fall into the temptation
+of telling a story."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard sighed, and looked troubled,
+as she well might; and so did grandmamma, as
+they talked together on this subject, and
+considered what was best to be done with Gracie.
+Her overwhelming desire for admiration; her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>
+wish to be first in every thing; her self-conceit
+and impatience of reproof were day by day
+growing stronger and stronger, and overrunning
+all that was fair and lovely in her character.
+It was, as the mother had said, difficult to
+break off all intercourse between her and
+Hattie, although it was certain that the latter
+was exercising no good influence on Gracie;
+for the two families were intimate, and it was
+impossible, without giving offence, to keep the
+two children entirely apart. Moreover, they
+were schoolmates, and had grown really fond
+of one another, although Gracie was losing
+confidence in Hattie, as she could not but
+perceive that she had by no means a strict regard
+for truth.</p>
+
+<p>But little did Gracie dream that Hattie's
+influence or example could ever lead her astray
+in this way.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 115px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image17.jpg" width="115" height="50" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;">
+<a name="jealousy" id="jealousy"><img src="images/image18.jpg" width="230" height="125" alt="owl" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>VI.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>JEALOUSY.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-d.jpg"
+width="50" height="50" alt="d" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">D</span>AYS went by, and all was progressing
+famously for the fair; at least so
+thought the little workers. New offers
+of help came in; new articles were promised,
+and some even sent, early as it was, and these
+were committed to Miss Ashton's keeping until
+the appointed day&mdash;the first of June&mdash;should
+arrive. Mrs. Bradford promised all the ice-cream
+that should be needed for the refreshment
+table; Mrs. Howard the strawberries;
+another mamma offered jelly; two or three
+cake; Mr. Powers promised a quantity of
+French bonbons; and from all sides came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+offers of flowers. Mr. Stanton, the little
+Bradfords' "Uncle Ruthven," said he would
+furnish flags and banners enough to deck the
+piazza; and mammas, grandmammas, aunts,
+and cousins were coaxed and wheedled out of so
+many bright ribbons for the same purpose, that
+it might have been supposed that they were
+expected to go in grave colors for the remainder
+of their days.</p>
+
+<p>And if you had seen the doll that Miss
+Annie Stanton and her sister-in-law were
+dressing as a baby!</p>
+
+<p>If you had but seen that doll!</p>
+
+<p>With a face so sweet, and so like a "real
+live baby" that it almost startled one to come
+upon it unawares in some place where the real
+live baby could not have been found! such
+hands and feet! and oh, such a fitting out!
+Day by day the progress of that doll's wardrobe
+was watched with eager, delighted eyes
+by Maggie, Bessie, Belle, and Lily, who had
+more opportunities for this than the rest of the
+children. These last were, however, invited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+in every now and then, to see the wonder as it
+grew; and that doll became the great object
+of interest, in comparison with which the
+remainder of the fair arrangements were as
+nothing. Every thing that was dainty and
+pretty and cunning was furnished for the baby
+doll; not only clothes without number, but also
+a tasteful cradle lined and trimmed with blue
+silk, white muslin, and lace; and a baby basket,
+furnished completely with all that the most
+exacting infant could require. In short, this was
+plainly to be the grand attraction of the fair,
+at least in the eyes of the younger portion of
+its patrons, for the fame of the doll spread far
+and wide, and great was the curiosity of those
+who had never had the opportunity of witnessing
+its beauties.</p>
+
+<p>And the question arose and was eagerly
+discussed, who was to be the munificent
+purchaser? who, oh! who, the fortunate
+possessor? Papas and mammas were besieged
+with petitions and coaxings, but wisely declined
+making positive promises till the price of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>
+wonderful prize should be fixed, and the doll
+herself put up for sale. Money-jugs were
+broken, and "savings banks" emptied, that the
+contents might be counted over and over to
+ascertain if there was any possibility that they
+might reach the sum which would probably be
+required; allowances were saved up in the
+same hope.</p>
+
+<p>The only trouble about it was, that as Maggie
+Bradford said, "only one could have the doll,
+and so all the rest were doomed to disappointment,
+which made it a case in which it would
+be well if one man's meat were every other
+man's poison."</p>
+
+<p>Jessie and her grandfather were cared for in
+the meanwhile. Miss Ashton had interested
+several of her friends in them; the children
+had done the same with their parents; and Mr.
+Bradford, Mr. Norris, and one or two other
+gentlemen had been to see old Malcolm, and
+finding that there was little or no probability
+of his cure while he remained in the cold,
+damp shanty, where he had been living for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
+last few months, had furnished him with more
+comfortable lodging.</p>
+
+<p>Jessie's wares were also finding a good
+market, and every week she came down into
+the city with a number. Some of these she
+sold to such purchasers as came in her way,
+and whatever were left over she carried to
+Miss Ashton, and put in her hands for the
+fair.</p>
+
+<p>She was also making some particularly choice
+articles which she kept back for exhibition and
+sale on that occasion; and among them were
+half a dozen boxes of straw and bright-colored
+ribbons, with an initial letter woven in beads
+upon the top of each. There had been but
+four of them at first, bearing respectively an
+M, a B, a G, and a D, standing for Maggie,
+Bessie, Gracie, and Dora; for Jessie looked
+upon these as her first friends, because they had
+first become interested in her story. But Bessie
+having mentioned that Belle and Lily were
+"just like ourselves, and my sister and I would
+be pleased to buy boxes for them at the fair,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+Jessie completed two more with an L for Lily,
+and a B for Belle. There was a delightful
+amount of mystery respecting these boxes, for
+each one of the six knew what had been done
+for the other five; Jessie telling her in
+confidence, and leaving her with the suspicion that
+the same pleasure was in store for her. Not
+on any account would any one of them have
+spoken of this suspicion; oh dear, no! but was
+quite prepared to be very much surprised if a
+box bearing her initial should turn up at the
+fair.</p>
+
+<p>Maggie and Bessie owned a pretty little pony,
+the gift of their Uncle Ruthven; at least Fred
+said it was "Uncle Ruthven's present," but
+Mr. Stanton said it was Fred's. For, having
+offered Fred the choice of a present for himself
+as a reward for the pains he had taken to break
+himself of some troublesome faults, the generous
+brother asked for a pony for his little sisters.
+He and his brother Harry each owned
+one, and he wished Maggie and Bessie to enjoy
+the same pleasure. So Uncle Ruthven had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+bought the pony and equipped him, but he declared
+it was Fred's gift to the little girls, and
+I think he was about right.</p>
+
+<p>However that was, the pony had given no
+small amount of pleasure, and this was still
+farther increased when Belle's papa gave her
+one.</p>
+
+<p>It was a pretty sight to see two of the little
+girls on these ponies, escorted by Harry and
+Fred, and the whole party under the care of
+one of the papas, or Uncle Ruthven, or sometimes
+of old James, the coachman. Belle and
+Bessie rode as yet with a leading string to the
+pony's rein, but Maggie had grown to be a fearless
+little rider, and had no idea of being led.
+Lily would have been welcome to a ride now
+and then if she had chosen, but "the one
+thing in the world" which Lily feared was a
+horse, and she declined the most pressing offers
+of this nature.</p>
+
+<p>Now that the days were becoming so mild
+and pleasant, these rides took place quite
+frequently, and they were hardly looked forward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+to more eagerly by the children than they were
+by old Malcolm and Jessie, who delighted to
+see the little girls on horseback, and were
+always on the watch to meet them and receive
+a kind word.</p>
+
+<p>"I know who I think will have the best piece
+of work," said Lily, one day after school, when
+the little girls were discussing the arrangements
+for the fair as they prepared to go home.</p>
+
+<p>"Who?" asked Gracie quickly. "Maggie,
+I s'pose. You always think Maggie and Bessie
+do every thing better than anybody else."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, and so they do," answered Lily, unwilling
+to allow that her favorite playmates
+could be outdone in any thing by another,&mdash;"so
+they do; but it's not Maggie this time."</p>
+
+<p>"Who then?" asked Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie Ransom," said Lily. "Have you
+seen her mat?"</p>
+
+<p>No: none of the others had seen Nellie's
+mat; but now curiosity was all on tiptoe, and a
+general desire to see her work took possession
+of the class.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Bring all your works to-morrow, and let's
+see which is the best," said Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie's is, I know," said Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"If you have not seen the others you <em>don't</em>
+know," said Lily.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie whispered something to Gracie and
+laughed; but Gracie still wore the displeased
+look she had put on when Lily declared Nellie's
+work must be the best.</p>
+
+<p>For, during the whole of the last year, Gracie
+had been nourishing an intense and bitter jealousy
+of Nellie Ransom. As has been said
+before, Nellie was by no means as quick and
+brilliant a child as Gracie, but she was more
+persevering and industrious, and so made up
+for the lack of natural talent. She was the
+only child in the school who could keep up with
+Gracie in several studies, such as composition
+and arithmetic; and in all they learned these
+two generally stood in advance of the rest.</p>
+
+<p>And to outstrip Nellie, to be always the
+<em>first</em>, the <em>very first</em> was Gracie's great ambition.
+She believed herself to be by far the wiser and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+cleverer of the two, but she was anxious that
+every one else should acknowledge it also.</p>
+
+<p>A year ago, when Miss Ashton's uncle had
+offered a prize for the best composition,&mdash;the
+occasion to which Mrs. Howard had referred
+when warning her little daughter against jealousy
+of Maggie Bradford,&mdash;the chances had
+seemed to lie between Maggie and herself; but
+to the astonishment of every one, Nellie's
+composition had proved the most deserving, and
+taken the much-coveted prize.</p>
+
+<p>Since that time Gracie's wish to excel Nellie
+in all things had known no bounds, and it is
+really to be feared that she was rejoiced at
+heart when her painstaking and industrious
+little schoolmate missed in her lessons, or
+failed in any work she undertook.</p>
+
+<p>So now the fear that Nellie's mat should
+prove to be more neatly worked than her own
+took complete possession of her, for it was
+not only the desire to be first, but the desire to
+outstrip Nellie especially, that filled her heart
+and made her envious and jealous.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was agreed that Nellie, Gracie, and Dora
+should each bring her mat to school the next
+morning, so as to compare their work and see
+which was likely to bring the highest price.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly this was done, and the children
+all gathered early, anxious to decide on the
+respective merits of the three pieces of
+embroidery.</p>
+
+<p>All were well done, neatly and evenly
+worked; but there could be no doubt of it,
+even to Gracie's unwilling eyes,&mdash;Nellie Ransom's
+was somewhat the best. It was really
+astonishing for a child of her age. She was
+naturally handy with her needle, and had
+taken so much pains with this mat that it
+would have done credit to a much older person.
+The simple pattern was straight and even, and
+the stitches of the filling in lay in neat, regular
+rows, the worsted smooth and unfrayed,
+and not a speck or spot of any description to
+be seen upon the whole piece.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie's was very nearly a match for it;
+indeed, had the two pieces been looked at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
+separately it might have seemed that there was
+nothing to choose between them; but laid side
+by side and closely compared, Nellie's would
+certainly bear off the palm.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Nellie," said Dora, whose own work
+was by no means despicable, "how beautifully
+you have done it. I don't believe a grown-up
+lady could have worked it better. I know
+Mrs. Howard will say it's the best."</p>
+
+<p>Quiet Nellie colored and dimpled with pleasure.
+Praise was pleasant to her, as it is to
+all; but, although she would have been glad to
+have her work pronounced the best, it was
+with no overwhelming desire to outdo her companions.
+Nellie did her very best, but when
+another did better, she could be content with
+the feeling that it was not her own fault
+that she was excelled, and was ready to
+sympathize with her more fortunate classmate.</p>
+
+<p>"That will be priced ten dollars for certain
+and positive," said Lily, holding up the mat
+and regarding it with admiration. "It is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>
+lovely, Nellie. They are all very nice, 'specially
+Gracie's, but yours is the best."</p>
+
+<p>"It's not a bit better than Gracie's," said
+Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you encourage Gracie more than she
+deserves," said Lily admonishingly. "She's
+pretty nice, but don't you puff her up too much."</p>
+
+<p>"I know something about you," said Hattie
+teasingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, know away," answered Lily scornfully.
+"You're always knowing something
+about somebody; and you want me to ask you
+what you know about me; but I don't want
+to know, and I'm not going to have you
+say some of the girls said hateful things of me.
+Besides&mdash;oh! I forgot; I b'lieve I was rather
+<em>anti-politing</em>;" and Lily, who was about to say
+that Hattie always made things seem worse
+than they were, put a check upon her saucy
+little tongue and turned once more to Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>One might have thought that Lily had
+worked the mat herself to see her pride and
+satisfaction in it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Dora has done more on hers than Nellie
+and Gracie," said Belle. "Their two are
+pretty nearly the same. Let's see; Gracie
+has only two more rows done than Nellie; no,
+Nellie has two more done than Gracie&mdash;oh!&mdash;why&mdash;this
+is Gracie's, isn't it? I can hardly
+tell them apart, they are both so very nice."</p>
+
+<p>For, handing the mats about from one to
+another, the same mistake occurred more than
+once, Gracie's being taken for Nellie's or Nellie's
+for Gracie's, and they had to be held side
+by side before they could be distinguished.
+The children laughed and thought this rather
+funny; and it gave Gracie some hope that hers
+might be judged to be the best, after all. She
+would take more pains than ever.</p>
+
+<p>The thought of the mats and of outdoing
+Nellie was so busy with her that she did not
+give her usual attention to her lessons that
+morning; and, as the consequence, lost her
+place in the spelling-class, and was in a peevish
+humor for the rest of the day.</p>
+
+<p>Fresh cause of displeasure befell her at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
+close of school, when Miss Ashton said she
+thought it as well that the May Queen should
+be chosen soon.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! we want Maggie, of course," said
+Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"Maggie again?" said Miss Ashton, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes'm," said Belle. "Maggie is used to it,
+and she makes the prettiest queen, so we'd
+rather have her; wouldn't we, girls?"</p>
+
+<p>There was a general murmur of assent, save
+from two voices.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't we make some one else May
+Queen this year?" asked Hattie. "We might
+have Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"Hattie," said Lily, endeavoring to make her
+voice of reproof one of extreme mildness, "as
+you have not been so very long in the school, it
+would be better if you let the old inhabitants
+be the judges."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, anyhow, I don't see why Maggie
+always has to be May Queen, and when she don't
+go to the school either," said Gracie pouting,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>
+and leaning back against her desk with a
+discontented air, till, catching Miss Ashton's eye
+fixed sadly and reproachfully upon her, she
+hung her head and looked ashamed.</p>
+
+<p>"Be-cause," said Lily with emphasis, "she's
+the prettiest child of our acquaintance. Not
+all the prettiness of all the rest of us make
+up one-half Maggie's prettiness, and she's not
+one bit vain or stuck-up about it either; and if
+she and Bessie don't just belong to the school,
+they belong to us, and so it's just the same.
+Whoever wants Maggie, hold up their hand."</p>
+
+<p>Up went every hand at once, save those of
+Gracie and Hattie, and presently Gracie's followed
+the example of the others, though half
+unwillingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Lily triumphantly, "that's
+voted, and for ever after let him hold his peace."</p>
+
+<p>The last allusion was perhaps not exactly
+clear either to Lily or her hearers; but it was
+thought extremely fine, and as having clinched
+the matter without farther argument. Miss
+Ashton laughed, and asked if Lily and Belle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
+would undertake to let Maggie know that she
+was elected May Queen, which they readily
+promised to do.</p>
+
+<p>But the next morning these two little friends
+returned to school, and told their astonished
+and disappointed classmates that Maggie
+positively refused to be May Queen. Why they
+could not say, but all their persuasions had
+proved of no avail. Maggie was not to be
+"coaxed," and would give no reason for her
+refusal, though she had "seemed to feel awfully
+about it," Lily said, and had "cried about it"
+before they left. Bessie had been as much
+mystified as they were, and even Maggie's
+mamma, when appealed to, said that she knew
+of no reason why Maggie should decline the
+offered honor. Maggie, however, had said she
+would "tell mamma and Bessie," but she could
+tell no one else.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton, when informed of Maggie's refusal,
+said that she would call on her and see
+what could be done, and until then the matter
+might rest.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hattie," said Gracie, drawing her "intimate
+friend" into a corner during recess, "did
+you tell Maggie Bradford what I said about her
+being Queen twice?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;no," said Hattie, hesitating at first,
+but then uttering her denial boldly as she saw
+the frown gathering upon Gracie's brow.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie looked at her as if she only half believed
+her, for she was learning to doubt Hattie's
+word, and although she was greedy of
+her flattery, she could not help feeling that her
+chosen friend was not sincere.</p>
+
+<p>"You know you've told a good many things
+I did not mean you to," said Gracie, "and I
+wouldn't like not to be friends with Maggie, or
+to let her think I'm hateful."</p>
+
+<p>And Hattie declared over and over again
+that she had never said one word to Maggie on
+the subject.</p>
+
+<p>"I do feel badly about it," said Gracie
+remorsefully. "I wish I had never said I thought
+Maggie ought not to be May Queen. Maggie's
+been my friend this ever so long, since I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
+quite little; and I believe I had rather the girls
+chose her. I've a good mind to write her a
+note, and tell her I wish she would be Queen."</p>
+
+<p>All the other children had left the school-room
+to go down and play on the piazza, and
+Gracie and Hattie were alone together.</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't," said Hattie; "you are the one
+who ought to be May Queen, 'cause you are the
+smartest child in the school."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie believed this, and thought Hattie gave
+her no more than her due; still, although she
+liked to hear Hattie say it, the compliment did
+not turn her from her purpose.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 176px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image19.jpg" width="176" height="50" alt="leaves" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;">
+<a name="misfortune" id="misfortune"><img src="images/image20.jpg" width="225" height="125" alt="Sheep" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>VII.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>A MISFORTUNE.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-a.jpg"
+width="53" height="50" alt="a" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">A</span>S the two children talked, Gracie had
+been putting a few stitches in her
+mat.</p>
+
+<p>"I b'lieve I'll do it," she said. "I'll tell
+Maggie we <em>all</em> want her to be May Queen."</p>
+
+<p>"Then she'll know you've said something
+about it," said Hattie anxiously, feeling that
+this proceeding was likely to bring her into
+trouble.</p>
+
+<p>"No, she needn't," said Gracie; "perhaps
+she does think I don't want her to be, 'cause
+at Christmas she knew I was mad about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to beg her pardon?" asked
+Hattie.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No," said Gracie, with one of her scornful
+tosses of her head. "I think I see myself doing
+such a thing! But I can write her a little note,
+and tell her we are all sorry because she won't
+be May Queen, and beg her to change her mind.
+I might do as much as that for Maggie," she
+added to herself.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie tried to dissuade her no longer, and
+Gracie laid the mat down upon her desk,
+opened the lid, and took out a slip of paper and
+a pen. She dipped the pen in the ink, wrote,
+"My dear Maggie," at the top of the sheet,
+and then paused, biting the top of her pen.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't think what to say, or how to begin
+it," she said. "My dear Maggie, I am very
+sorry&mdash;no. I had better say <em>we</em>&mdash;we are
+very sorry that you&mdash;that you&mdash;oh, pshaw!
+I've a great mind not to do it"&mdash;here she
+dipped her pen in the ink again, and so
+carelessly that it came forth quite too full. "Oh,
+bother!" she exclaimed with increasing ill-humor;
+"look at this hateful pen;" and, forgetting
+the precious piece of work which lay so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>
+near at hand, she gave a careless fillip to the
+pen which spattered forth the ink.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie gave another impatient exclamation,
+and pushed away the paper, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't do it; if Maggie likes to be so
+foolish about nothing, she just can;" but she
+did not see the extent of the mischief she had
+done till Hattie said in a tone of great dismay,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"O Gracie! just see what you've done!"</p>
+
+<p>And there upon her beautiful mat was a
+great spot of ink.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie gave a horrified little cry, and, snatching
+up the mat, thoughtlessly sopped up the
+spot with her handkerchief, thereby spreading
+and smearing it till it grew to the size of a
+two-cent piece, and left an ugly blotch on the
+bright blue worsted.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall I do? oh! what shall I do?
+It's spoiled; it's quite spoiled!" she said despairingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it is; maybe it can be taken
+out," said Hattie, though she was almost as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>
+much startled as her little companion. "I'll
+bring some water, and we'll try to take it
+out."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," said Gracie; "I wish I had not
+touched it at all. We'll only make it worse;
+and I'll ask mamma to try as soon as I go
+home. Oh, dear, dear, dear! what shall I do?
+Grandmamma will surely say Nellie's is the
+best now. That hateful girl!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's a great shame if she does," said Hattie.
+"Nellie is always trying to get ahead of
+you; and she don't deserve it, and I don't
+think your grandmamma is fair to you. She
+ought to think her own grandchild's work is
+the best."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose Nellie will just be glad when she
+sees what has happened to me," said Gracie,
+whose jealous eyes could now see nothing that
+was good or fair in Nellie's conduct.</p>
+
+<p>Innocent, kind-hearted Nellie, who would not
+willingly harbor an unkind or unjust thought
+of another!</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't let her see it," she continued,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+hastily rolling up the mat and putting it into
+her desk, as she heard the other children coming.
+"Don't say a word about it, Hattie, not to
+any one."</p>
+
+<p>Hattie promised, really grieving herself for
+Gracie's misfortune, for she truly loved her,
+and was anxious that she should be the first.</p>
+
+<p>This was to be a black day for Gracie; but
+all through her own jealousy and pride.</p>
+
+<p>Her mind was so taken up with the remembrance
+of the defaced mat that she could not
+keep her thoughts upon her lessons; and,
+although she had known her history very well,
+her attention wandered so much that she
+answered incorrectly more than once.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing, however, that something had disturbed
+her, Miss Ashton made allowances, and
+gave her one or two opportunities to correct
+herself and bring her thoughts back to the
+task before her.</p>
+
+<p>But it was all in vain; Gracie had already lost
+her place in the spelling-class, and gone down
+below Dora Johnson and Laura Middleton;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+and now the fear of a fresh mortification, and of
+giving Nellie her place at the head of the history
+class added to her confusion, and she
+floundered more and more hopelessly. Nellie
+begged too that she might have still another
+chance, when at last Miss Ashton passed the
+question to her; but again Gracie failed and
+was obliged to yield her place.</p>
+
+<p>Angry, mortified, and jealous, Gracie showed
+such determined ill-temper towards her generous
+little classmate, that Miss Ashton was
+obliged to reprove her, but without effect.</p>
+
+<p>Again she called Gracie to order, and this
+time more severely.</p>
+
+<p>The angry and wilful child hesitated for
+one moment, then pride and passion burst all
+bounds, and she answered Miss Ashton with
+such insolence, such ungoverned and unjustifiable
+impertinence that the whole class stood
+aghast.</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's perfect stillness.
+Miss Ashton turned very pale, and laying her
+book down upon the table, covered her face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>
+with her hand, while the children looked from
+her to Gracie and back again, in utter dismay
+and astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>Then the stillness was broken by a piteous,
+"Oh, dear!" from poor little Belle, who finished
+with a burst of tears, and her example
+was followed by more than one of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton raised her head.</p>
+
+<p>"Go into the cloak-room, Grace," she said
+quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie was herself frightened at what she had
+done; but her pride and temper were still farther
+roused by the shocked and disapproving
+looks of her schoolmates, and she stood for an
+instant with determined stubbornness, while
+the words, "I won't," formed themselves upon
+her lips.</p>
+
+<p>But they were not uttered, for there was
+something in Miss Ashton's face which checked
+her; something which not one of the little flock
+had ever seen before; and when the lady
+repeated her words in the same calm tone,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Go into the cloak-room," Gracie turned
+away and obeyed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was with head held high, and scornful
+look, however, that she passed out, although
+bitter shame and regret were burning in the
+poor, foolish little heart. But she called up all
+her pride and jealousy to stifle the better feeling
+which urged her to run to her teacher, and, in
+the face of the whole school, confess her fault,
+and beg Miss Ashton's pardon for the insulting
+words she had spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"What will she do, I wonder," she said to
+herself; "will she tell mamma? What will
+mamma say, and papa too?" and, as the
+recollection of her parents' oft-repeated warnings
+against the pride and vanity which were her
+besetting sins came back to her mind, she could
+not but feel that this was the consequence of
+allowing them to gain such a hold upon her.</p>
+
+<p>She <em>felt</em> it, for conscience would make itself
+heard; but she would not acknowledge it even
+to herself, and drowned the reproving whisper
+with such thoughts as,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, why is Miss Ashton so unjust?
+She is always trying to make me miss and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+lose my place. She is always glad when any
+one goes above me. She never praises me as
+much as I deserve;" and such unjust and untrue
+accusations.</p>
+
+<p>It might be that Miss Ashton did not always
+bestow upon Gracie all the praise she would have
+given to another for a perfect lesson or good
+composition, for she did not think much praise
+good for her, as it only seemed to minister to
+Gracie's over-weening vanity. But only eyes
+that were wilfully blind and suspicious could
+find the slightest injustice or unkindness in her
+treatment of any one of her little scholars, and
+her gentleness and patience might have won
+gratitude from the most stubborn young heart.</p>
+
+<p>But Gracie would not listen to the promptings
+of her better spirit; and the recollection
+of the dismayed and averted looks of her
+schoolmates added fuel to the flame of her
+angry pride. Even the ever admiring Hattie
+had looked shocked at her outburst.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," she said again to herself.
+"It's only 'cause they know I am so much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
+cleverer than any of them, and they are jealous
+of me. That hateful Nellie! She was so
+proud to go above me."</p>
+
+<p>Wretched and unhappy, she spent the time
+in her solitude till the close of school, when
+the other children came into the cloak-room
+for their hats.</p>
+
+<p>No one said a word to her, for they had been
+forbidden to do so; and if they had occasion to
+speak to one another they did so in whispers,
+as if something terrible had happened, and a
+great awe had fallen upon them. She sat in a
+corner, sullen and defiant, trying to put on an
+appearance of the utmost indifference, but
+succeeding very poorly. She even tried to hum
+a tune, but something rose in her throat and
+choked her. She scarcely knew what to do;
+whether or no to rise, and take her hat, and go
+down as usual to find the nurse, who was probably
+waiting for her below; and while she sat
+hesitating, one and another of her young
+companions passed out, as if glad to hurry from
+her presence, and she was left once more alone.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She had just taken down her hat, when Miss
+Ashton came in, and, handing her a note, said
+gravely,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Give this to your mother, Gracie," and
+left her again.</p>
+
+<p>Ashamed and alarmed at the thought of
+what might follow when she should reach
+home, but with her pride and anger not one
+whit abated, Gracie went slowly on, giving
+short and snappish answers to the inquiries of
+her nurse, who plainly saw that something was
+wrong.</p>
+
+<p>But she dared not face her mother when she
+should hear of her misconduct; and when they
+entered the house, she thrust the note into the
+hand of the maid, bidding her give it to Mrs.
+Howard, and ran quickly up to her own little
+room.</p>
+
+<p>There she stayed, wondering and waiting.
+Five, ten, fifteen, twenty minutes, half an hour
+passed away, and still her mamma did not
+come.</p>
+
+<p>Was it possible? could she really hope that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
+the note had not been one of complaint of her
+conduct?</p>
+
+<p>No, that could never be; there was the bell
+for the children's early dinner. Well, she
+would go down and act as if nothing had
+happened. But could she with this uncertainty
+of how much or how little mamma knew?</p>
+
+<p>But there was mamma's step, and now Mrs.
+Howard entered the room. One half glance
+at her face and Gracie's eyes fell. It was
+enough to show her that her mother knew all.</p>
+
+<p>"Mean old thing!" she said to herself,
+meaning Miss Ashton. "She's gone and told,
+and now I s'pose I'll be punished."</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said her mother, "I suppose you
+scarcely need to be told what is in this note
+which Miss Ashton has sent me."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie stood with head erect, pouting lip,
+and defiant eyes, idly tossing back and forth
+the tassel of the window curtain with as much
+indifference as she could assume.</p>
+
+<p>"Has it come to this, my child," continued
+Mrs. Howard sorrowfully, "that you have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+allowed conceit and self-will to gain such a
+hold upon you, that you could wilfully and
+deliberately insult your teacher? I have been
+sure that you would fall into trouble, Gracie,
+for I knew that such foolish pride must sooner
+or later have a fall, but I could not have
+believed that you would be guilty of this.
+What did you say to Miss Ashton?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," said Gracie passionately,
+without directly answering her mother's question.
+"It was all true, every word of it. She's
+as hateful as she can be, and unjust and
+mean;" and Gracie went on, pouring forth a
+torrent of invective and reproach against Miss
+Ashton and Nellie Ransom, without paying the
+slightest heed to her mother's commands to be
+silent. It was the long pent-up feeling of
+jealousy and ill-will and pride, that she had
+been nourishing for months past, and which
+now burst all bounds and swept every thing
+before it.</p>
+
+<p>Respect, and even obedience towards her
+mother, reason, justice, and truth itself were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+totally lost sight of, as she poured forth
+accusation after accusation against the offenders,
+and upheld her own conduct in all she had done
+and said.</p>
+
+<p>"And you have said all this to Miss Ashton,
+perhaps?" said her mother sternly, when the
+angry child at last came to a pause.</p>
+
+<p>"It is true enough if I did," muttered Gracie
+again, though her passion was by this time
+beginning to cool down in a measure. "I'm
+sure I wish I never went to her hateful old
+school."</p>
+
+<p>"It is more than probable that Miss Ashton
+wishes so now; but I shall leave you to
+think over what you have said to me and to
+Miss Ashton, and to find out how much of it
+is true. One thing Miss Ashton desires,&mdash;that
+you do not return to her school till you are
+ready to acknowledge your fault, and to
+apologize for your impertinence. And until this
+is the case, you must remain in your room.
+Your meals will be sent to you, and I shall not
+allow your brothers and sisters to have any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+intercourse with you till you are ready to make
+such amends as you can. You may send for
+me when you have any thing to say to me. Oh,
+Gracie, Gracie!"</p>
+
+<p>With which words, spoken in a sad, despondent
+tone, Mrs. Howard went away, closing
+the door upon her stubborn, rebellious little
+daughter.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie stood where her mother had left her,
+not one whit softened or humbled; for now her
+angry pride began to accuse her mother also of
+injustice and partiality and unkindness.</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody in the world takes part against
+me," she said to herself; "but I don't care.
+Indeed, I won't beg Miss Ashton's pardon, not
+if I stay here a year. Mamma makes such a
+fuss about her being so kind and patient and
+all that. She's paid for teaching me, so it's
+nothing so wonderfully good. I hope I never
+will go back to the school where that hateful
+Nellie is."</p>
+
+<p>Soon the door opened, and the nurse appeared,
+bearing a tray on which was Gracie's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+dinner. She set it upon a table, placed a chair,
+and went away without a word to her.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," said Gracie once more, "no
+one need talk to me if they don't want to.
+I'm just as good as they are, and I'd just as
+lief stay here by myself."</p>
+
+<p>She sat down before the dinner-tray, trying
+to believe that she would "just as lief eat
+her dinner alone;" but she found it was not so
+agreeable after all. She wondered what they
+were doing downstairs; if the children were
+chattering as merrily as usual, or if her absence
+made any difference in the family enjoyment.
+She had little appetite, as may be supposed,
+and left the nicely served meal scarcely
+touched.</p>
+
+<p>But it must not be thought that she had any
+idea of yielding or acknowledging herself in
+the wrong. By and by she heard her brothers
+and sisters coming upstairs, then their voices
+in the nursery as they prattled to one another;
+and she knew that they were being made ready
+for their afternoon airing. Then tiny feet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+pattered along the hall, and little May's voice
+sounded through her closed door,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Am oo dood now, Dacie? We'm doin out,
+Dacie; am oo most dood? Pease don't be
+naughty dirl, Dacie," and the soft little hand
+tapped upon the panel as the baby voice pleaded.</p>
+
+<p>"Come away, darling. Gracie may come
+out when she is good and says she is sorry,"
+said mamma's voice; and Gracie knew that her
+mother had led the little pet away.</p>
+
+<p>But all this only seemed to harden her.
+May was such a darling, the sweetest and
+dearest of all her brothers and sisters, Gracie
+thought; and, although the sweet, coaxing voice
+had touched her, she only found in her mother's
+interference fresh cause of offence.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma tries to set even May against me,
+and I s'pose she's been telling all the children
+what I did," she thought; "but I don't care. I
+believe they'll grow tired of having me away
+before I am tired of staying here. There's
+plenty for me to do. I can read, and I'll work
+on my mat."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But here it suddenly flashed upon her that
+she had not brought her mat home with her.
+Being sent away in disgrace and not returning
+to the school-room before leaving, she had quite
+forgotten it, and it still lay there in her desk.
+And that stain upon it, too, which she had
+intended to ask her mother to take out if
+possible. Mamma would not feel like doing it for
+her now, and she could ask no favors from her.
+Not unless she repented and&mdash;and&mdash;apologized
+to Miss Ashton. And this last she
+would not do; no, never, never.</p>
+
+<p>She heard the children going downstairs,
+stood at the window and watched them get into
+the carriage and drive away with mamma, and
+began to wish that she were there too. And
+such a lovely afternoon, it was too bad to be
+shut up here. But still she never blamed
+herself for her imprisonment; no, mamma, Miss
+Ashton, Nellie, any one was in the wrong, but
+not her own wilful, stubborn little self. What
+was to be the end of this she did not know,
+but Gracie had no thought of yielding.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She whiled away the afternoon as she best
+could; but every thing seemed to have lost its
+zest. Her prettiest story-books had no interest;
+her dolls were "stupid" and poor company;
+even her stock of pretty materials for
+articles for the fair seemed less attractive
+than usual as she turned them over, and her
+work "would not go."</p>
+
+<p>This was the first time in her life that Gracie
+had ever been punished in such a manner; and
+apart from the disgrace, which she was
+determined not to feel, she was a child who was
+fond of society and did not know how to bear
+being deprived of it.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 99px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image21.jpg" width="99" height="75" alt="flowers" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 224px;">
+<a name="spider" id="spider"><img src="images/image22.jpg" width="224" height="125" alt="Bird nest with birds" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>VIII.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;">"<big><em>THE SPIDER AND THE FLY.</em></big>"</p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-i.jpg"
+width="51" height="50" alt="i" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">I</span>F Mrs. Howard had perhaps hoped
+that little May's pleading would
+have any softening effect on Gracie,
+she was mistaken. The message she had
+expected to receive on reaching home did not
+come to her. Nor did she hear a word from
+Gracie through the evening until the little
+girl's bed-time came. Then she sent word
+that the hour had come, still hoping and
+believing that the stubborn heart must relent,
+and that Gracie would feel that she could not
+go to rest unforgiven and without her mother's
+good-night kiss. But she was mistaken.
+Gracie received the message in sullen silence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>
+but obeyed and went to bed without one word
+of sorrow or repentance.</p>
+
+<p>It was the same in the morning. Gracie
+rose and was dressed; her breakfast was
+brought and eaten in solitude, as her dinner
+and supper had been yesterday; and still the
+nurse who waited upon her passed in and out,
+as it was necessary, and brought no word to
+comfort the sorrowing heart of her mother.</p>
+
+<p>School-time came, and Gracie knew that
+the children in her class would believe that
+her absence was caused by her misconduct of
+the previous day, as was indeed too true; but
+this only made her feel more and more proud
+and obstinate.</p>
+
+<p>The long, weary morning wore away, the
+solitary dinner was once more over, and again
+the house seemed so still and lonely, for mamma
+and the children had gone out again,
+and the servants were all downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>By and by Gracie heard a light, quick foot
+running up the stairs and coming towards her
+own door. The latch was turned and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+door softly opened,&mdash;Mrs. Howard had not
+locked her in, for she believed that she could
+trust Gracie and that she would not disobey
+so far as to leave the room she had been bidden
+to keep,&mdash;and Hattie's face peeped in.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie started, partly in astonishment,
+partly in dismay; for what must she do now?
+Mamma would not have allowed her to see
+Hattie, she knew, if she had been at home;
+and must she send her away? She was so
+glad to see some one, to be able to speak to
+some one.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie came in, closed the door behind her,
+and, running to Gracie, put her arm about her
+neck and kissed her, saying with much energy,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It's too mean, Gracie! it's the meanest
+thing I ever knew! It's a great shame!"</p>
+
+<p>There could be no doubt of her sympathy,
+of her belief that Gracie was in the right, or
+at least that she was not so very much to
+blame, and was undeservedly punished. For
+Hattie was really and truly very fond of
+Gracie, admired her and considered her very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>
+clever; and, although even she had been dismayed
+by Gracie's outburst yesterday, she was
+now disposed to treat it lightly, and to say that
+Gracie had been provoked. There was another
+reason, too, which induced Hattie to take part
+against Nellie Ransom, and to wish to put her
+in the wrong.</p>
+
+<p>"O Hattie!" said Gracie, "how did you
+come up here? Mamma wouldn't allow it, I
+know."</p>
+
+<p>Hattie laughed triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew that," she said, "for I came to the
+door a little while ago and the servant said
+you were up in your room, but he thought you
+could not see any one to-day, and he said every
+one else was out. But I said I had a message
+from school for you, and that you must have it
+this afternoon. So of course he thought it
+was from Miss Ashton, as I meant he should,
+and he let me come up."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma will be displeased," said Gracie;
+"you ought not, Hattie. I'm very glad to see
+you, but I must not let you stay."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'll only stay a few minutes," said Hattie,
+taking the seat which Gracie had not ventured
+to offer her. "I've something perfectly
+splendid to tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"Was everybody saying ugly things about
+me to-day, and talking as if I was as wicked
+as a murderer?" asked Gracie, more interested
+in the opinion others might hold of her than
+in Hattie's promised news.</p>
+
+<p>There had really been very little said on the
+matter; the offence was too serious and too
+shocking to Gracie's young companions to
+make it an agreeable subject of conversation;
+and, although there had been some wondering as
+to whether Gracie would ever be allowed to
+return to the school, but few unkind remarks
+had been made, and these were more in sorrow
+than in censure.</p>
+
+<p>And Hattie was too full of her errand and
+of the fear of being found on forbidden
+ground to make as good a story of that little as
+she might have chosen to do at another time.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, no, not much," she answered. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
+suppose that old Nellie, hateful thing, was glad
+enough."</p>
+
+<p>"Did she say so?" questioned Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Hattie; "she did not speak about
+it. Gracie, did Miss Ashton send word to
+your mother and ask her to punish you?"</p>
+
+<p>"She wrote to her about it, and I suppose
+mamma punished me of her own accord,"
+answered Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"How long is she going to keep you up
+here?" asked Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"Till&mdash;till&mdash;I beg Miss Ashton's pardon,"
+said Gracie, her angry pride rising again at
+the thought; "and I <em>never</em> will do it, no, <em>never</em>,
+not if I stay here a year!"</p>
+
+<p>"But the fair," said Hattie; "you know the
+fair is in two weeks, and if you don't come out
+before that you'll miss all the fun."</p>
+
+<p>Now, apart from the interest which all the
+little girls took in the fair, Gracie had a strong
+desire, as usual, to play some very prominent
+part therein. As we know, she had wished to
+be Queen, and had been vexed because Maggie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>
+Bradford had been chosen again; but, although
+she could not have this coveted honor, she still
+hoped and intended to make herself very conspicuous
+there.</p>
+
+<p>It was true that the thought of the fair and
+all that concerned it had been much in her
+mind, even during her imprisonment; but it had
+not occurred to her that her resolution of never,
+never apologizing to Miss Ashton, "even if she
+stayed shut up for a whole year," would scarcely
+agree with her appearance at the festival.</p>
+
+<p>She sat as if confounded at Hattie's words.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd do it if I were you," continued the
+latter, seeing the effect she had produced.
+"It's a great shame that you have to, but then
+you <em>will</em> have to, you know; and I'd do it and
+have it over. If you're going to fret and fuss
+here about it, you'll feel a great deal worse at
+last when you come to do it."</p>
+
+<p>Hattie's advice on this subject was certainly
+good in itself, though she did not put
+it before Gracie in a right light.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Ashton is so unjust and so awfully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>
+partial to Nellie," pouted Gracie, although her
+resolution was beginning to waver a little for
+the first time.</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," said Hattie; "but she can't
+make other people think Nellie is the smartest
+child. Every one knows you are, Gracie, even
+if they won't say so."</p>
+
+<p>"I can learn three lessons while Nellie
+learns one; but Miss Ashton is always praising
+her and never praises me," was Gracie's
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," said Hattie again. "Nellie&mdash;oh,
+I can't bear that girl!&mdash;sets up to be
+so wonderfully good, and Miss Ashton always
+believes whatever she says, and makes such
+a fuss about her; but you can just <em>say</em> you
+beg Miss Ashton's pardon, and have it over.
+The rest of the class will have every thing
+their own way if you don't come out pretty
+soon and have your word about the fair; and
+there's your mat, too, you know, Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"I forgot my mat yesterday when I came
+away," said Gracie. "I wish you had known<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
+it and then you could have brought it to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>Again Hattie gave a triumphant little laugh,
+and putting her hand into her pocket drew
+out the mat,&mdash;that is, <em>a</em> mat.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie seized it eagerly, gave Hattie a kiss,
+saying, "Oh, you dear thing! I'm so glad."</p>
+
+<p>Then she looked for the stain, but there was
+no stain to be seen.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's that ink-spot? Oh, Hattie, did
+you take it out? There's not a sign of it."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Hattie, "I did not take it out."</p>
+
+<p>"Why!" exclaimed Gracie, turning the
+mat over. "Why, it is&mdash;it is&mdash;it's not mine.
+It's Nellie's mat!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to tell you," said Hattie. "This
+morning Miss Ashton handed me your history,
+which I believe you left in the cloak-room
+yesterday, and told me to put it in your desk. So
+when I opened the desk, the first thing I saw
+was the mat, and I knew you must have
+forgotten it. Nellie, the mean thing, she had
+brought her mat to school to-day again, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+said she was going to work on it in recess;
+but when recess came the other children
+coaxed her to go out in the garden 'cause it
+was so pleasant, and she went. So while they
+were all down there, I saw the way to play
+Miss Nellie a good trick and to help you, dear;
+and I ran up to the school-room, changed Nellie's
+mat for yours, put hers back just as
+she had left it, and she'll never know the
+difference and think that somehow that ink-spot
+has come on her mat. And do you know,
+Gracie, it was the most fortunate thing that
+Nellie had just worked those two rows more
+that made her work even with yours; so she
+never can know. You remember yesterday we
+could scarcely tell them apart, and now they
+look almost exactly alike."</p>
+
+<p>"But what then?" said Gracie, almost
+frightened at the thought of Hattie's probable
+meaning.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, don't you see?" said Hattie, who
+told her story as if she thought she had done
+something very clever and praiseworthy; "you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>
+can just finish this mat as if it was your own,
+and need not bother yourself about the ink-stain."</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;but&mdash;Hattie&mdash;this one is Nellie's,"
+said Gracie in a shocked voice.</p>
+
+<p>"What of that? we'll keep the secret, and
+no one will ever know but us two," said Hattie.
+"Nellie has the other one, and that's good
+enough for her. She has no right to expect
+the most money from your grandmamma.
+Take a great deal of pains with this, Gracie,
+and make the work look just like Nellie's."</p>
+
+<p>"But, I can't, I can't," said Gracie. "It
+seems to me almost like&mdash;stealing."</p>
+
+<p>"Stealing!" repeated Hattie. "I'd like to
+know who has been stealing! I only changed
+the mats, and you have the best right to the
+nicest one. I was not going to have Nellie get
+every thing away from you. She just thinks
+she's going to make herself the head of the
+school and beat you in every thing."</p>
+
+<p>Now as I have said, and as you will readily
+believe, there was more at the bottom of Hattie's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>
+desire to thwart Nellie than her wish to
+see Gracie stand first, although she was really
+very fond of the latter, and it was this.</p>
+
+<p>It had so happened that Nellie's rather
+blunt truthfulness and clear-sighted honesty
+had more than once detected Hattie's want of
+straightforwardness, and even defeated some
+object she had in view, and for this Hattie bore
+her a grudge. She was particularly displeased
+with her at the present time because of a
+reprimand from Miss Ashton which she chose to
+consider she owed to Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>Coming to school rather early one morning,
+a day or two since, Nellie found Belle Powers
+and Hattie there before her.</p>
+
+<p>Belle sat upon the lower step of the upper
+flight of stairs, in a state of utter woe, with the
+saddest of little faces, and wiping the tears
+from her eyes. Hattie, grasping the banister
+with one hand, was swinging herself back and
+forth, saying, "I wouldn't care if I were you.
+'Tis nothing to cry about;" but she looked
+ashamed and rather caught when she saw
+Nellie coming up the stairs.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter, Belle?" asked Nellie,
+sitting down beside the school pet and darling,
+and putting her arm around her neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Fanny Leroy said things about me," sobbed
+Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"What things?" questioned Nellie with a
+searching look at Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"She said I was so bad and spoiled I could
+hardly ever be good, even when I wanted to,"
+answered Belle piteously; "and she said Miss
+Ashton had to be excusing me all the time for
+the naughty things I did in school. And I
+loved Fanny, and I wouldn't have said such bad
+things about her; and, oh, dear! I thought she
+loved me too. She came to Aunt Margaret's
+when I was there the day before she went away,
+to say good-bye to Maggie and Bessie and me;
+and she gave us each a nutmeg to remember
+her by and to keep for ever an' ever an' ever
+for a keepsake, and she kissed me ever so
+many times. And all the time she had been
+saying bad things about me, and so I'm going
+to throw away the nutmeg, 'cause I don't want<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
+a keepsake of a girl who made b'lieve she
+liked me when she didn't."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it," said Nellie with far
+more energy than was usual with her, and still
+regarding Hattie with searching looks.</p>
+
+<p>"But Hattie says she did," repeated Belle.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie's <em>saying</em> a thing made it by no means
+sure in Nellie's eyes, and although she was not
+apt to interfere or meddle where she had no
+right to do so, she would not let this pass
+without further questioning. She was fond of
+the absent Fanny and loved Belle dearly; and
+believing that both were now wronged, she set
+herself to right them if possible.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it," she said again.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you just can believe it," said Hattie
+resentfully. "Don't I know what Fanny
+said to me? It's nothing to make such a fuss
+about, anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"Belle has very easily hurt feelings," said
+Nellie; "and besides, it <em>is</em> something to make a
+fuss about. And Fanny hardly ever would say
+unkind things of other people; the girls used<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>
+to think she was 'most too particular about it.
+And, Hattie Leroy, I don't believe she ever
+said such things about Belle; anyhow, not in
+that way."</p>
+
+<p>"She did, too, I tell you," persisted Hattie,
+secure in Fanny's absence, and determined not
+to acknowledge that she had misrepresented
+her innocent words, from the mere love of
+talking and exaggeration, too; for she had not
+intended to hurt Belle so much, and was now
+really sorry to see her so grieved. "She did,
+too, I tell you. How do you know what Fanny
+said to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what she did say, but I am
+sure she never said that," repeated Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>Both little girls had raised their voices
+as they contradicted one another, and as
+the tones of neither were very amicable by
+this time, they drew the attention of Miss
+Ashton.</p>
+
+<p>"What is this, my little girls; what is the
+trouble?" she asked, coming up the stairs to
+them; then, seeing Belle's still distressed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>
+tear-stained face she inquired, "Belle, darling,
+what is wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>Nellie and Hattie were both rather abashed,
+especially the latter, who knew herself to be in
+the wrong; but Belle answered, "Hattie
+thinks Fanny Leroy said something, and Nellie
+thinks she didn't. I don't know," she added
+with a mournful shake of her head, "but
+somehow somebody must be rather 'deceitful
+and <em>despicably</em> wicked.'" Desperately, Belle
+meant, and she quoted her words in no spirit
+of irreverence, but because she thought them
+suited to the, to her, solemnity of the occasion.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton, too, feared that there was
+some deceitfulness, or at least exaggeration;
+and seeing that little Belle was in real trouble
+she questioned further, and Nellie told her
+what Hattie had said.</p>
+
+<p>This was not the first time, by any means,
+that Miss Ashton had known mischief to arise
+from Hattie's thoughtless way, to call it by no
+worse name, of repeating things; and she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+reproved her pretty sharply, telling her that such
+speeches were not at all like her gentle, amiable
+cousin Fanny, and she could not believe
+her guilty of them; and even had she said
+them she, Hattie, had no right to repeat them
+and make needless sorrow and trouble for
+Belle. Then she soothed Belle and encouraged
+her to think that Fanny had not so wronged
+her; and after school she kept Hattie for a few
+moments, and spoke to her very seriously but
+kindly on her idle, foolish habit of telling tales
+with exaggeration and untruthfulness.</p>
+
+<p>But Hattie, in repeating this, had said that
+"Miss Ashton kept her in and gave her an
+awful scolding just because she had said
+something that cry-baby Belle did not like, and
+Nellie went and told her and so put her in a
+scrape;" nor did she see that it had been her
+own blame in the first instance. And ever
+since she had been vexed with Nellie, and this
+added strength to her wish to have Gracie
+outstrip Nellie. It was not altogether this, let us
+do her justice, for she really loved Gracie better<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+than any other child in the school, and was
+anxious to have her win for her own sake.</p>
+
+<p>But we must go back to these two little girls
+as they sat together in Gracie's room.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, so she does," echoed Gracie; "and I
+suppose now Miss Ashton will take away my
+conduct marks, and being away to-day, I'll lose
+my place in all the classes too. Not that I
+could not get ahead of her again easily enough,"
+she added contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>"But she can't have the best mat now,"
+said Hattie.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how I <em>could</em> do that," said
+Gracie. "It is her's, you know, Hattie, and I
+can't, really I can't."</p>
+
+<p>"But you'll have to now," said Hattie.
+"You know Nellie has found the ink-spot on
+the other mat by this time, and there's no way
+to give her this one back."</p>
+
+<p>Yes, there was one way, but that did not
+enter Hattie's thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't," said Gracie again, shrinking
+at the idea of doing what she knew to be so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>
+dishonest and deceitful. "I must have my
+own mat, Hattie; but I do wish this was mine
+and the other Nellie's."</p>
+
+<p>"But we can't put it back now, and I took
+it for you," said Hattie complainingly. "Gracie,
+you must keep it now. I shall get into an
+awful scrape if you don't; and it's real mean
+of you."</p>
+
+<p>It would take too long to tell you of all the
+arguments and persuasions Hattie used. How
+she pleaded and reproached; how she insisted
+that there was no way of undoing what she
+had done; how she excited and increased
+Gracie's jealous pride and desire to outdo
+Nellie; and this last she found by far the most
+effectual argument.</p>
+
+<p>And&mdash;Gracie yielded. Persuading herself
+that she had the best right to receive the
+highest premium because her own grandmamma
+had offered it; putting from her the thought
+of the only way in which justice could now be
+done to Nellie, on the plea that Hattie would
+be disgraced, and she would be "too mean" to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+bring this upon her; rousing up all her own
+naughty and envious feelings against innocent
+Nellie, she gave way at last and fell before
+temptation. Fell into the very sin, or even
+worse, from which she felt herself so very
+secure,&mdash;deceit and theft, for it was no less.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I'll go, dear," said Hattie, jumping
+up as soon as Gracie had yielded, perhaps
+afraid that she might repent and insist that she
+could not keep the mat, "and no one but us
+two will ever know the secret. And, Gracie,
+make up your mind to ask Miss Ashton's pardon,
+so you won't lose all the fun."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 86px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image23.jpg" width="86" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 220px;">
+<a name="guilty" id="guilty"><img src="images/image24.jpg" width="220" height="125" alt="birds" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>IX.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>A GUILTY CONSCIENCE.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-i.jpg"
+width="51" height="50" alt="i" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">I</span>F Gracie had been an unhappy and
+miserable child before, what was she
+now with all this load upon her conscience?
+For even pride and self-conceit could
+not attempt to justify such a deed. Jealousy
+had a good deal to say; and she tried to listen
+to that, and to believe also that she was not
+really to blame: she had been forced into it;
+she could not betray Hattie, who had done this
+from love to her. But she was more wretched
+than it would be easy to tell; and she was
+beginning to feel such a contempt for her chosen
+friend that this also was a sore spot in her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+heart. Day by day she was learning that there
+was nothing true or honorable or upright about
+Hattie. She hardly even seemed to think it
+much harm to tell a falsehood, or appeared
+ashamed when she was found out; and for
+some days she had had a growing feeling that
+it was not pleasant to have a friend with the
+character of a "story-teller," which Hattie
+now bore among her school-fellows. And
+Gracie; was she not just as bad, perhaps even
+worse? For Gracie had been taught all the
+value and beauty of truth, and had never till
+now wilfully fallen away from it; but she knew
+that the worth of that jewel was not much
+considered in Hattie's home, and so it had lost its
+preciousness in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton, too, knew this; and so she was
+less severe with Hattie than she might have
+been with another child who had a better
+example and more encouragement to do right
+in this particular.</p>
+
+<p>Lily, in her plain speaking, would probably
+have called Mr. and Mrs. Leroy by the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+uncomplimentary name she had given to Mr.
+Raymond; for the same foolish system of management
+was carried on in their family. Probably
+they would have been much shocked to
+hear it said that they taught the lesson of deceit;
+but was it to be expected that Hattie
+could have much regard for the truth when she
+heard herself and her brothers and sisters
+threatened with punishments, which were not,
+perhaps could not be carried out; when promises
+were made to them which were not kept;
+when they were frightened by tales of bears,
+wolves, and old black men, and such things
+which had no existence?</p>
+
+<p>"Willie, your mamma said she would send
+you to bed if you went there," was said to little
+Willie Leroy one day.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm not afraid," answered Willie,
+contemptuously. "Mamma never does what she
+says;" and off he ran to the forbidden spot, his
+words proving quite true, although his mamma
+heard that he had disobeyed her so deliberately.</p>
+
+<p>"Is your mother going to make you something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>
+for the fair?" Hattie was asked by one of her
+schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>"She says so; but I don't know if she will,"
+was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie's was not the simple faith of "Mamma
+says so," so sweet in little children.
+Mamma might or might not do as she had said
+she would, according to the convenience of
+the moment.</p>
+
+<p>So it was no marvel that Hattie thought it
+no great harm to escape punishment or gain
+some fancied good by stretching the truth, or
+even telling a deliberate falsehood; or that,
+having a great love of talking, a story should
+outgrow its true dimensions in her hands; or
+that she did not see what was honest and upright
+as well as some children.</p>
+
+<p>But with Gracie Howard it was very different.</p>
+
+<p>Truth, and truth before all things, was the
+motto in her home, the lesson which from her
+babyhood had been taught to her by precept
+and by example; and the conscience which, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+Hattie, was so easily put to sleep, would not let
+her rest. In vain did jealousy and ambition
+try to reconcile her to the act of dishonesty
+and meanness into which she had allowed herself
+to be drawn; in vain did she argue with
+herself that "it was all Hattie's fault;" she
+could not betray Hattie when she had done
+this just for her; or "there was no way of
+putting the mat back now; she could not help
+herself." Gracie sinned with her eyes open,
+and her conscience all alive to the wickedness
+of which she was guilty.</p>
+
+<p>But her stubborn pride was beginning to
+give way in one point; for she had no mind to
+"lose the fun of the fair," as Hattie said,&mdash;though
+even the fair had lost some of its
+attraction with this weight upon her conscience,&mdash;and
+she resolved to send for her mother, and
+tell her she would ask Miss Ashton's pardon.</p>
+
+<p>So when the long, weary afternoon had
+worn away, and Mrs. Howard came home,
+Gracie rang the bell, and sent a message
+begging her mother to come to her.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mamma came thankfully; but one look at
+her little daughter's face was enough to
+convince her that she was in no softened mood,
+in no gentle and humbled spirit. It was with
+a sullen and still half-defiant manner that
+Gracie offered to do what was required of her;
+and her mother saw that it was fear of farther
+punishment, and not real sorrow and repentance,
+which moved her.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I ought not to have spoken so,
+mamma," she answered, when her mother
+asked her if she did not see how very naughty
+she had been; "but Miss Ashton is so unjust,
+and Nellie provokes me so."</p>
+
+<p>"How is Miss Ashton unjust?" asked Mrs.
+Howard.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie fidgeted and pouted, knowing that
+her mother would not be willing to accept the
+charges she was ready to bring.</p>
+
+<p>"She's always praising Nellie for every thing
+she does, mamma; and in these days she never
+gives me one word of praise, even when every
+one has to see that I do the best. And&mdash;and&mdash;I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
+b'lieve she tries to make me miss, so Nellie
+can go above me in the classes."</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said her mother, "you know that
+that last accusation is untrue. As for the first,
+if Miss Ashton is sparing of her praise, my
+daughter, it is because she knows it is hurtful
+to you. Nellie is a timid child, trying to do
+her best, but with little confidence in her own
+powers; and praise, while it encourages and
+helps her to persevere, does not make her vain
+or conceited. But Miss Ashton sees that that
+which is needful for Nellie is hurtful to you;
+for it only increases your foolish vanity and
+self-esteem, and it is for your own good that
+she gives you a smaller share. You have,
+unhappily, so good an opinion of yourself,
+Gracie, that praise not only makes you
+disagreeable, but disposes you to take less trouble
+to improve yourself. Let me hear no more of
+Miss Ashton's injustice. When you deserve it,
+or it does not hurt you, Miss Ashton is as ready
+to give praise to you as she is to another. You
+say you are willing to ask her pardon for your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
+impertinence; but I fear that you do not really
+see your fault."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you not going to let me come out, then,
+mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, since you promise to do as I say; but
+I fear you are in no proper spirit, Gracie, and
+that you will fall into further trouble unless
+you become more submissive and modest."</p>
+
+<p>"Hattie was here this afternoon, mamma,"
+said Gracie, as she followed her mother from
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>"So I understood," said Mrs. Howard, who
+had been waiting for the confession, having been
+informed of the circumstance by the servant.</p>
+
+<p>"I left my mat in school yesterday," said
+Gracie, "and she thought I would want it, and
+came to bring it back."</p>
+
+<p>She spoke in a low tone and with downcast
+eyes; for Gracie was so unused to deceit that
+she could not carry it out boldly, as a more
+practised child might have done.</p>
+
+<p>Something in her manner struck her mother,
+who turned and looked at her.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Did Hattie bring you any message from
+Miss Ashton?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No, mamma: she only came about the mat;
+and she begged me to ask Miss Ashton's pardon,"
+answered Gracie with the same hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>But her mother only thought that the averted
+face and drooping look were due to the
+shame which she felt at meeting the rest of the
+family after her late punishment and disgrace.</p>
+
+<p>"I told Hattie you would not wish her to
+stay with me, mamma; but she would not go
+right away, but I would not let her stay very
+long."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you were so honest, dear," said
+Mrs Howard.</p>
+
+<p>Honest! Gracie knew how little she deserved
+such a character, and her mother's praise made
+her feel more guilty than ever.</p>
+
+<p>She was received with open arms by the
+other children; for Gracie was the eldest of the
+flock, and, in spite of her self-conceit, she was
+a kind little sister, and the younger ones quite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>
+shared her own opinion, thinking no child so
+good and wise as their Gracie. And they had
+missed her very much; so now they all treated
+her as if she had been ill or absent, and made
+much of her.</p>
+
+<p>But for once Gracie could not enjoy this,
+and it only seemed to make her feel more
+ashamed and guilty. What would mamma
+say, what would all say if they only knew?</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard had told Gracie that she might
+either go to school early in the morning and
+make her apology to Miss Ashton before the
+other scholars came, or she might write to
+her this evening, and send the note to her
+teacher.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie had chosen to do the last; but when
+the younger children had gone to bed, and she
+tried to write the note, she found she could
+not bring her mind to it. Her conscience was
+so troubled, and her thoughts so full of her guilty
+secret, that the words she needed would not
+come to her; and as her mother saw her sitting
+with her elbows upon the table, biting the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>
+end of her pencil or scrawling idly over her
+blotter and seeming to make no progress at all,
+she believed, and with reason, that Gracie was
+not truly repentant for what she had done, and
+had only promised to beg Miss Ashton's pardon
+in order that she might be released from
+the imprisonment of which she had tired.
+Gracie was not usually at a loss for ideas or
+words where she had any thing to write.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't do it," she said pettishly at last,
+pushing paper and pencil from her. "I s'pose
+I'll have to go to Miss Ashton in the morning,
+and I b'lieve I'll go to bed now. Good-night,
+mamma."</p>
+
+<p>And Gracie went to her room, wishing to
+escape from her own thoughts, and bring
+this miserable day to a close as soon as
+possible.</p>
+
+<p>But the next morning it was no better; and
+now it seemed harder to go to Miss Ashton
+and speak than it would be to write. But it
+was too late now: she had no time to compose
+a note, "make it up" as she would have said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>
+and to copy it before school, and she must
+abide by her choice of the previous night.</p>
+
+<p>She started early for school, according to
+her mother's desire, with many charges from
+her to remember how grievously she had
+offended Miss Ashton, and to put away pride
+and self-conceit and make her apology in a
+proper spirit.</p>
+
+<p>Had there not been that guilty secret fretting
+at Gracie's heart, she might have been induced
+to be more submissive; but, as it was,
+she felt so unhappy that it only increased her
+reluctance to make amends to Miss Ashton and
+acknowledge how wrong she had been.</p>
+
+<p>She asked for her teacher at once when she
+reached the house, anxious to "have it over;"
+and, when the young lady appeared, blurted out,
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Ashton."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton sat down, and, taking Gracie's
+half-reluctant hand, drew her kindly towards
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"It is freely granted, my dear," she said.
+"And are you truly sorry, Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Gracie fidgeted and wriggled uneasily; but
+we who know what she had done can readily
+believe that it was more pride than a strict
+love of the truth which led her to say to herself
+that she was "not sorry," and "she
+could not tell a story by saying so."</p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon, ma'am, and I won't do
+so again," she repeated, seeing that Miss Ashton
+waited for her answer.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton did not wish to force her to say
+that which she did not feel, and she saw that
+it was of no use to argue with her in her
+present stubborn mood; but she talked quietly
+and kindly to her, setting before her the folly
+and the wrong of the self-love and vanity
+which were ruling her conduct, and day by day
+spoiling all that was good and fair in her
+character.</p>
+
+<p>"See what trouble they have brought you into
+now, Gracie," she said; "and unless you
+check them in time, my child, they will lead
+you deeper into sin. I scarcely know you for
+the same little girl who first came to me, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>
+much have these faults grown upon you; and
+they are fast destroying all the affection and
+confidence of your school-fellows. Why,
+Gracie, I have heard one little girl say that
+'Gracie thought so much of herself that it
+sometimes made her forget to be very true.'"</p>
+
+<p>Gracie started. Was this the character her
+self-love was earning for her? she who
+desired to stand so high in all points with the
+world.</p>
+
+<p>Ah! but it was for the praise of man, and
+not for the honor and glory of God that Gracie
+strove to outshine all others; and she walked
+by her own strength, and the poor, weak prop
+must fail her and would lay her low.</p>
+
+<p>"Forget to be very true!"</p>
+
+<p>How far she had done this, even Miss Ashton
+did not dream; but it seemed to Gracie
+that she had chosen her words to give her
+the deepest thrust, and she bowed her head in
+shame and fear.</p>
+
+<p>But Miss Ashton, knowing nothing of what
+was passing in that guilty young heart, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
+glad to see this, and believed that her words
+were at last making some impression on
+Gracie, and that she was taking her counsel and
+reproof in a different spirit from that in which
+she generally received them.</p>
+
+<p>Strange to say, in all the miserable and
+remorseful thoughts which had made her
+wretched since yesterday afternoon, it had not
+once entered her mind how she was to face
+Nellie when the poor child should make known
+the misfortune which had befallen her.</p>
+
+<p>One by one the children came in, and how
+awkward Gracie felt in meeting them may
+readily be imagined by any one who has suffered
+from some similar and well-merited disgrace.
+Still she tried, as she whispered to
+Hattie she should do, to "behave as if nothing
+had happened;" and when little Belle, after
+looking at her wistfully for a moment as if
+undecided how to act, came up and kissed her,
+saying, "I'm glad to see you, Gracie," she
+answered rather ungraciously, "I'm sure it's
+not so very long since you saw me," and sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>
+the dear little girl away feeling very much
+rebuffed.</p>
+
+<p>And yet she really felt Belle's innocent
+friendliness, and her sweet attempt to make
+her welcome and at her ease; but pride would
+not let her show it.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie was one of the last to arrive, and her
+troubled and woe-begone face startled Gracie
+and smote her to the heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Such a dreadful thing has happened to me,"
+said Nellie, when she was questioned by the
+other children; and the tears started to her
+eyes afresh as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it? What is it?" asked a number
+of eager voices.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know how it can have happened,"
+said Nellie, hardly able to speak for the sobs
+she vainly tried to keep back. "I have been
+so, so careful; but there is an ugly spot like ink
+or something on my mat. I can't think how
+it ever came there, for I put it in my desk very
+carefully when school began yesterday, and did
+not take it out till I got home, and I did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>
+know there was any ink near it. But when I
+unrolled it last evening the stain was there,
+and mamma thinks it is ink, and she cannot
+get it out. And I've taken such pains to keep
+the mat clean and nice."</p>
+
+<p>And here poor Nellie's voice broke down entirely,
+while Gracie, feeling as if her self-command,
+too, must give way, opened her desk and
+put her head therein, with a horrible choking
+feeling in her throat.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll all tell Mrs. Howard it came somehow
+through not any fault of yours," said Lily.
+"Never mind, Nellie, yours is the best mat,
+anyhow: we all know it;" and Lily cast a defiant
+and provoking glance at Gracie, which
+was quite lost upon the latter.</p>
+
+<p>Lily had suggested on the day before, that
+when Gracie came back to school they should
+"all behave just as if nothing had happened,"
+just what Gracie intended to do; but generous
+Lily had said it in quite a different spirit from
+that in which Gracie proposed it to herself.</p>
+
+<p>But Gracie's rebuff to Belle, and the seeming
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>indifference with which she treated Nellie's
+misfortune, roused Lily's indignation once
+more; for she thought, as did many of the other
+children, that Gracie did not feel sorry for Nellie's
+trouble, since it gave her the greater chance
+of having her own work pronounced the best.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;">
+<img class="border" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;" src="images/image25.jpg" width="450" height="649" alt="A discussion about the best mat" />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Yes, we will tell Mrs. Howard," said Dora
+Johnson: "yours was really the best mat of
+all, though Gracie's was almost as nice; and
+we will tell her something happened to it that
+you could not help, and perhaps she will not
+mind it."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps a vase standing on it would cover
+the spot," said Laura Middleton.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she said, "that would not make it
+any better. Mrs. Howard said that the best
+and neatest mat must take the highest
+premium, and mine is not the neatest now. I
+wouldn't feel comfortable to do any thing that
+was not quite fair, even if you all said I
+might."</p>
+
+<p>"That was not quite fair!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>More and more ashamed, and feeling how
+far behind Nellie left her in honesty and
+fairness, Gracie still sat fumbling in her desk,
+looking for nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Dora, "we'll speak to Mrs.
+Howard about it, and see what she says: won't
+we, Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p>Gracie muttered something which might
+mean either yes or no.</p>
+
+<p>"Augh!" said Lily, "what do you talk to
+that proudy about it for? She don't care a
+bit. I b'lieve she's just glad and wouldn't help
+Nellie if she could."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie made no answer: she was too miserable
+for words or to think of answering Lily's
+taunts, and she would have given up all thought
+of having any thing to do with the fair to have
+had Nellie's mat safely in her possession once
+more. Oh, if she had never yielded to temptation
+or to Hattie's persuasions!</p>
+
+<p>"How you do act!" whispered Hattie to
+Gracie. "If you don't take care they will suspect
+something."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I can't help it," returned Gracie in the
+same tone: "it is such an awful story that we
+have told."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not a story," said Hattie; "we've
+neither of us said one word about the mat."</p>
+
+<p>This was a new view of the matter; but it
+brought no comfort to Gracie's conscience
+She knew that the acted deceit was as bad as
+the spoken one, perhaps in this case even worse.</p>
+
+<p>She felt as if she could not bear this any
+longer, as if she must tell, must confess what
+she had done; and yet&mdash;how? How could
+she lower herself so in the eyes of her
+schoolmates? she who had always held herself so
+high, been so scornful over the least meanness,
+equivocation, or approach to falsehood!</p>
+
+<p>A more wretched little girl than Gracie was
+that morning it would have been hard to find;
+but her teacher and schoolmates thought her
+want of spirit arose from the recollection of
+her late naughtiness and the feeling of shame,
+and took as little notice of it as possible.</p>
+
+<p>And Lily, repenting of her resentment when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+she saw how dull and miserable Gracie seemed,
+threw her arms about her neck as they were
+leaving school, and said, "Please forgive me
+my provokingness this morning, Gracie. I
+ought to be ashamed, and I am."</p>
+
+<p>But Gracie could not return, scarcely suffer,
+the caress, and dared not trust herself to speak,
+as she thought how furious Lily's indignation
+would be if she but knew the truth.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 157px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image26.jpg" width="157" height="50" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 234px;">
+<a name="game" id="game"><img src="images/image27.jpg" width="234" height="125" alt="bird" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>X.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>A GAME OF CHARACTERS.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-a.jpg"
+width="51" height="50" alt="a" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">A</span>T home or at school, studying, working
+or playing&mdash;for the latter she had
+little heart now&mdash;Gracie could not
+shake off the weight that was upon her mind
+and spirits. Even her work for the fair had
+lost its interest; and as for the mat, Nellie's
+mat, she could not bear the sight of it. She
+went to sleep at night thinking of it, and trying
+to contrive some way out of her difficulty,
+though she would not listen to the voice of her
+conscience which whispered that there was but
+one way; and she woke in the morning with
+the feeling that something dreadful had
+happened. Appetite and spirits failed; she grew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
+fretful and irritable, and her mother imagined
+that she must be ill, though Gracie resolutely
+persisted that there was nothing the matter
+with her, and that she felt quite well.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said Mrs. Howard one morning
+after three or four days had passed, "it appears
+to me that you are not doing much on your
+mat. How is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," answered Gracie, fretfully.
+"I don't believe I'll finish it. I'm tired of the
+old thing."</p>
+
+<p>"That will not do, my child," said her
+mother. "You have undertaken to do this for
+your grandmamma and for the fair, and I cannot
+have you stop it now without some good
+reason. Bring the mat to me."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie went for the mat very unwillingly,
+though she dared not refuse nor even show her
+reluctance.</p>
+
+<p>"It really does you credit," said Mrs.
+Howard, taking it from her hands: "it is so
+smooth and even, and you have kept it so
+neat. But you must be more industrious, dear,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
+if you are to have it finished in time. And
+see, Gracie," she continued, looking at it more
+closely, "these last few lines look not <em>quite</em>
+as nicely as the rest. There is a difference in
+the work, and you will have to take more pains
+than you have done here. It looks almost as
+if another person had worked it. You have
+not let any one help you with it, have you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, mamma," replied Gracie in a low tone
+and with a frightened feeling. Was there
+really such a difference between her work and
+Nellie's that it was so easily detected?</p>
+
+<p>It had not occurred either to her or to
+Hattie, perhaps they did not know, that the
+work of two different hands seldom or never
+matches well upon embroidery in worsted,
+and that it is almost sure to be perceived.
+She was dismayed at the thought that her
+mother had noticed this, and now every stitch
+that she took seemed to make the difference
+more plain, take what pains she might.</p>
+
+<p>She began to feel angry and indignant at
+Hattie for leading her into this sin, shutting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>
+her eyes to the fact that, if she had not
+allowed proud and jealous thoughts to creep
+into her heart, temptation would not have had
+so much influence over her.</p>
+
+<p>She no longer took any pleasure in the
+society of her little friend, and shrank from
+her in a way that Hattie perceived, and by
+which she was hurt; for she was disposed in
+her own mind to throw all the blame upon
+Hattie, forgetting that she was really the most
+to blame, since she had been better taught, and
+saw more clearly the difference between right
+and wrong.</p>
+
+<p>As for Nellie, poor, innocent, injured Nellie,
+Gracie felt as if she could not bear the sight
+of her; and when she saw in what a gentle,
+patient spirit she took her great misfortune,&mdash;for
+so all the children considered it,&mdash;she
+grew more and more ashamed and lowered in
+her own sight. Pride and self-esteem could
+not now blind her to the fact that Nellie
+was better, far better, than herself.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the change in Gracie was exciting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>
+the wonder of all, the pity of some, of her
+young friends and schoolmates. Only Hattie
+held the clew to it; and she was surprised that
+such "a trifle," as she considered it, should
+have such an effect upon Gracie and make her
+so unhappy.</p>
+
+<p>But Gracie was not a really bad or deceitful
+child, although she had suffered herself to
+be led so far astray. She was not naturally
+more unkind or selfish than most of us who
+have not the love and fear of God before us;
+indeed she was what children call "generous"
+in giving or sharing what she had, and she
+was always glad to do a helpful or obliging
+act for another. But she had always trusted
+to her own strength, and believed she could
+not fall, and now she was learning that her
+high thoughts of herself, and her carelessness
+of what she considered little faults, had made
+her an easy prey to temptation and the
+indulgence of a foolish pride and jealousy had
+led her into this great sin into which she had
+not imagined she could fall. But although<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>
+she saw this now, she was not truly repentant;
+for she would not take the only right
+and true way to make amends; and spent her
+time wishing vain wishes, and trying to contrive
+some way out of her difficulty without
+bringing disgrace upon herself or losing her
+character for honor and truthfulness among
+her young companions. It troubled Gracie far
+less to think how she already stood in the eyes
+of God, than it did to imagine how she might
+appear in the sight of her earthly friends if
+this thing were known.</p>
+
+<p>There was a small children's party at Mrs.
+Bradford's. Gracie did not care to go; indeed
+she would much rather not have done so: but
+her mother had accepted for her, and she had
+no good excuse for staying away.</p>
+
+<p>She was more restless and miserable than
+usual that afternoon: she set up her opinion
+against that of all the rest, found fault with
+her playmates in every game that was begun,
+was more than usually sure that she knew
+every thing and could do better than any one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+else, and, not having her wits and thoughts
+about her, miserably failed in all the plays in
+which she meant to shine.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall we play now?" asked Bessie
+at length, when they had all tired of some
+romping game.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's take a little rest, and play 'Characters,'"
+said Gracie, who was very good in this,
+having no match among her present playmates
+save Maggie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Maggie, willing to please her
+if possible, although she saw some objections
+to the game just now; "we'll play it; but it
+is rather hard for the younger ones, so we
+must take easy characters. Who'll go out?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will," said Lily; "but mind you do take
+an easy one. Somebody we know very well, not
+any history or jography character. I don't
+want to bother my head about lesson people
+when I'm playing."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Maggie; and Lily went
+out, singing loudly in the hall that she might
+"be sure and not hear."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Let's take Cromwell," said Gracie, always
+anxious, no matter what her frame of mind, to
+display her knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Maggie, "that's too hard for
+Lily; and she wants us to take some one we
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"I should think any goose might know about
+Cromwell," said Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"We did not know about him till a few
+weeks ago," said Dora Johnson. "We've
+only just had him in our history, and I don't
+b'lieve Lily knows much about him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then take Lafayette," said Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"Lily means some of the people we have in
+our own lives," said Bessie. "Make haste:
+she'll be tired."</p>
+
+<p>This was seconded by Lily's voice calling
+from without, "Why don't you make haste?
+I should think you were choosing a hundred
+people."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's take Flossey," said Belle, looking at
+the dog, who had jumped upon a chair beside
+Maggie, where he sat with a wise and sedate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>
+air as if he were listening to all that passed,
+and ready to take his share in the game.</p>
+
+<p>This was agreed upon by all but Gracie, who
+declared that it was "ridiculous to choose a
+dog," and she had "a great mind not to play
+the game in such an absurd way."</p>
+
+<p>Lily was called in and proceeded to ask her
+questions.</p>
+
+<p>"Male or female?" was the first, beginning
+at Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"Male," answered Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"Black or white?" asked Lily.</p>
+
+<p>"Neither," said Belle, who was next in turn,
+"least he's not black at all; but he's some
+white."</p>
+
+<p>Lily looked rather puzzled at this.</p>
+
+<p>"And what color besides is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Brown," answered Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"A brown and white man," said Lily. "Oh!
+I know. It's old black Peter."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, no," echoed around the circle.</p>
+
+<p>"Not one scrap of Peter is white," said
+Mamie Stone. "He's the blackest old man I
+ever saw."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Part of his eyes are white and his teeth
+too," said Lily, who was generally pretty sure
+of her ground when she stated a fact. "Where
+does he live?"</p>
+
+<p>"In this country," said Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"In this city?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Maggie.</p>
+
+<p>"Is he good or bad?"</p>
+
+<p>"Good, most generally," answered Mabel;
+"only sometimes pretty mischievous."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said Lily, light beginning to break
+upon her. "Can he talk?"</p>
+
+<p>"He tan't talt, but he tan bart pretty well,"
+said Frankie, to whom the question fell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! oh! that's too plain," cried one and
+another laughing; and Maggie, thinking Frankie
+did not understand the game well enough to be
+allowed to go out, gave a hint to Lily, but not
+wishing to hurt her little brother's feelings took
+refuge in the French language, and said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Ne <em>guessez</em> pas a lui."</p>
+
+<p>Frankie, however, was too sharp for her;
+there was not much that escaped him, and he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>
+exclaimed in a very aggrieved tone that it was
+"not fair," and that Lily should guess at him.</p>
+
+<p>So Lily said "Flossey" was the character;
+and, amid much laughter, the young gentleman
+betook himself to the hall with a pompous air,
+telling the little girls to make haste.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's take himself," said Bessie, which
+being agreed upon, Frankie was called back
+almost before he was well out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Is he blat or white?" he asked, following
+Lily's example, and beginning as she had done
+at Dora.</p>
+
+<p>"He's white," said Dora laughing; and, in
+obedience to a suggestion from Maggie to help
+him out, she added,&mdash;"white, with brown eyes
+and red cheeks and brown hair."</p>
+
+<p>"Flossey," cried Frankie triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; not Flossey again," said the children.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he have four feets?" asked the little
+boy.</p>
+
+<p>"No, only two," said Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he live in the stable?" asked Frankie.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, he lives in this house," said Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Blackie," said Frankie, who was unable to
+give up the idea that since it was not Flossey
+it must be the little pony owned by his sisters.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he eat hay?" was his next question.</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Nellie, "he eats fruit and
+meat and bread and milk, and, oh! how he
+does love sugar and candy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Me," cried Frankie, feeling that this description
+exactly suited himself.</p>
+
+<p>The character having been guessed at Nellie
+she now went out, and Maggie, willing to
+put Gracie in a good humor if possible, asked
+her who they should take this time.</p>
+
+<p>"Mary, Queen of Scots," answered Gracie
+promptly.</p>
+
+<p>It was not altogether probable that the
+younger children knew much of this unfortunate
+lady, but Gracie's choice was acceded
+to and Nellie called.</p>
+
+<p>"Male or female?" was of course the first
+question.</p>
+
+<p>"Female," answered Dora.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Old or young?"</p>
+
+<p>"Um&mdash;m&mdash;m, pretty old," said Belle;
+"at least she was grown up."</p>
+
+<p>"Is she alive now?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did she live?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Lily, "she lived in a good
+many places. But not in this country. Generally
+in France or Scotland."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said Nellie to whom this answer gave
+an inkling of the truth; but she passed on to
+the next.</p>
+
+<p>"Was she good or bad, Maggie?"</p>
+
+<p>"Some think her quite celestial and some
+think her quite infernal," answered Maggie
+with grand emphasis; "but on the whole I
+think she was not either, only rather middling
+like the most of us."</p>
+
+<p>Nellie felt more confident than ever; but
+not caring to risk one of her three guesses as
+yet, she passed on. The questions she put to
+Mabel and Frankie were simple and very easily
+answered; then came Gracie's turn.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What was she celebrated for?"</p>
+
+<p>"For cruelty and persecuting people,"
+answered Gracie confidently; and Nellie's
+idea was at once put to flight by the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a mistake," said Dora. "You are
+thinking of another character, Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not, either," said Gracie. "Don't I
+know history better than any of you?"</p>
+
+<p>"You don't know <em>that</em>, anyway," said Maggie.
+"Gracie, you <em>are</em> wrong. <em>She</em> was not
+the character you are thinking of, and was not
+celebrated for that."</p>
+
+<p>"But she <em>was</em>," persisted Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie," said Maggie, "you need not
+guess by what Gracie has told you, for she is
+not right."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll put my question another way," said
+Nellie. "Can I ask Gracie once again?"</p>
+
+<p>All agreed and Nellie asked,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Was she celebrated for her beauty and
+her misfortunes?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't tell you," said Gracie snappishly.
+"If I do, I shan't be believed, but they'll all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>
+go and contradict me. I suppose I know what
+I know; and any of you might be proud if you
+knew as much history as I do and had kept the
+head of the class so long."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie had for a moment forgotten how
+disgracefully she had lost her place at the head
+of the history class, but the silence that followed
+her ill-tempered speech brought it back
+to her and increased her vexation.</p>
+
+<p>"You all think you know so much," she
+said, throwing herself back sullenly in her
+chair.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie had begged Lily to bear with Gracie
+and not to aggravate her as she seemed so
+miserable and out of spirits, and Lily had
+been very forbearing; at least, so she thought.
+But now her small stock of patience was quite
+exhausted and she exclaimed vehemently:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie, we try to stand you; we do try
+with all our might and main; but you use up
+every bit of standing there is in me!"</p>
+
+<p>This did not mend matters in Gracie's present
+state of mind, but led to a pretty severe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>
+quarrel between her and Lily which the others
+vainly tried to heal, Lily being rather provoking,
+and Gracie obstinately sullen and ill-tempered.</p>
+
+<p>It ended in a violent burst of tears from the
+latter, and a declaration that she would go
+home at once. But this was impossible, since
+it was now evening; and the children's
+supper-time being near at hand, Mrs. Bradford
+could not just then spare a servant to go home
+with Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>No soothing or coaxing proved of any avail,
+nor did Lily's repentance; for she was sorry
+now that she had been provoking, and would
+readily have kissed and made up if Gracie
+could have been persuaded to do so.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie said that she would not stay where
+Lily was, and went sulkily upstairs to the
+room where Maggie and Bessie slept.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 117px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image28.jpg" width="117" height="50" alt="owl" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 226px;">
+<a name="confession" id="confession"><img src="images/image29.jpg" width="226" height="125" alt="sheep" />
+</a></div>
+
+<h2>XI.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>CONFESSION.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-g.jpg"
+width="49" height="50" alt="g" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">G</span>RACIE expected and wished to be
+left to herself till it was time to go
+home; at least she thought she did,
+and she had quite made up her mind that if
+any one came and begged her to go down to
+supper she would steadily refuse.</p>
+
+<p>She stood there with all manner of unhappy
+and wretched feelings, wishing vain and fruitless
+wishes, as she had so often done since she
+had fallen into this sin,&mdash;that she had never
+allowed Hattie to tempt her into doing what
+she knew to be wrong; that grandmamma had
+never made this plan or offered to put a price
+on the different pieces of work; that she had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
+never gone to the school, or that Nellie had
+never belonged to it; but still she did not think
+of wishing that she had not thought so much
+of herself or been so very anxious above all
+things to be first.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Gracie! Only those can tell how unhappy
+she was who have themselves so fallen
+and so suffered. There was no way out of her
+trouble but by confessing all the truth, and she
+could not bring herself to that.</p>
+
+<p>She had not closed the door when she came
+in, and presently she heard a gentle foot-fall,
+then Bessie's soft voice, saying, "Are you in
+here, Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p>There was no light in the room save the
+faint glimmer of moonlight which came
+through the window, and as Gracie stood in
+the shade, Bessie did not at first see her.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'm here, but I don't want any
+supper, and I'm not coming down till I go
+home," answered Gracie, not as ungraciously
+as she had intended to speak, for somehow
+she could not be disagreeable to dear Bessie.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Supper is not quite ready yet, and you
+shall have some up here if you had very much
+rather not come down," said Bessie with a
+coaxing tone in her voice; "but you'd better
+come down, Gracie. They're all very sorry
+for you and don't think you meant to be cross,
+'cause Nellie said she was sure something
+troubled you for a good many days, or you
+did not feel well, and that often made people
+impatient, so we ought not to be mad at you."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie made no answer, but presently Bessie
+heard a low sob.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie, dear," she said, coming closer to
+her little friend and putting her arms about
+her neck, "something does trouble you,
+doesn't it? Couldn't you tell me what it is,
+and let me see if I could comfort you? Sometimes
+it makes people feel better to tell their
+troubles and have some one feel sorry for
+them."</p>
+
+<p>The caressing touch, the tender manner,
+the earnest, pleading voice were too much for
+Gracie, and, throwing herself down on a chair,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>
+she buried her face in her arms and sobbed
+bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie let her cry for a moment, for the
+wise little woman knew that tears often do
+one good for a while, and contented herself
+with giving soft touches to Gracie's hair and
+neck to let her know she was still beside her
+and ready to give her her sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>At last Gracie raised her head and said
+brokenly, "Oh, Bessie, I am so bad! I am so
+wicked!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think being rather&mdash;rather&mdash;well,
+rather cross, is so very <em>wicked</em>," said
+Bessie, hesitating to give a hard name to
+Gracie's ill-temper, "and if you are sorry now
+and will come downstairs, we'll all be very
+glad to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it isn't that," sobbed Gracie. "Bessie,
+if you knew what I've done, you'd hate me.
+I know you would."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I wouldn't," said Bessie. "I'd never
+hate you, Gracie. I'd only be sorry for you
+and try to help you."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You can't help me. No one can help
+me," said Gracie, in a fresh paroxysm of
+distress.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't your mamma? Mammas generally
+can," said Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not even mamma," answered Gracie.
+"Oh, Bessie, I do feel as if it would be a kind
+of relief to tell you; but you'd hate me, you
+couldn't help it; and so would every one
+else."</p>
+
+<p>"Every one else need not know it because
+you tell me," said Bessie. "Tell Jesus, and
+ask Him to help you, Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"Even He can't," said Gracie; "at least&mdash;at
+least&mdash;not unless I tell other people who
+ought to know it."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean He would want you to tell
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I s'pose so," almost whispered Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie considered a moment. That Gracie
+was full of a vain, foolish pride and self-conceit,
+she knew; also that she was not the Gracie
+of a year or two since; but that she would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>
+wrong any one she never dreamed, and she
+could not imagine any cause for this great
+distress.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," she said, "I think by what
+you say that you must have done something to
+me. I can't think what it can be; but I promise
+not to be angry. I will be friends with
+you all the same."</p>
+
+<p>"It was not you; no, it was not you; but,
+Bessie, it was such a dreadful thing and so
+mean that you never can bear me after you
+know it. You are so very true yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you told a story?" asked Bessie in
+a troubled voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Not told a story, but I acted one," sobbed
+Gracie. "O Bessie! sit down here and let
+me tell you. I can't keep it in any longer.
+Maybe you'll tell me what to do; but I know
+what you'll say, and I can't do that."</p>
+
+<p>Bessie did as she was requested, and, in as
+few whispered words as possible, Gracie poured
+her wretched story into her ears.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie sprang to her feet, and her arms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>
+which she had clasped about Gracie's neck
+fell away from it. It was as the latter had
+feared; this was so much worse than any thing
+Bessie had expected, she was herself so truthful
+and upright, that her whole soul was filled
+with horror and dismay. No wonder that
+Gracie was distressed. This was indeed
+dreadful.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it, I knew it," said Gracie, burying
+her face again. "I knew you never could
+bear me again. It seemed as if I couldn't
+help telling you, Bessie; but you never, never
+will speak to me again. I wish&mdash;I wish&mdash;oh,
+I almost wish I was an orphan and had no
+one to care for me, so I could wish I was dead,
+only I'm too bad to go to God."</p>
+
+<p>Sympathy and pity were regaining their
+place in Bessie's heart in spite of her horror
+and indignation at what Gracie had done, and
+once more she sat down beside her and tried to
+soothe and comfort.</p>
+
+<p>She succeeded in part at least. Gracie's sobs
+grew less violent, and she let Bessie persuade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>
+her to raise her head. Then they sat side by
+side, Bessie holding her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"What would you do, Bessie?" asked Gracie.
+"I know I ought to tell, but I don't see how I
+can. It will be such a disgrace, and all the
+girls will have to know, and I've made such a
+fuss about myself, and always thought I never
+could do any thing that was very bad. And
+now this."</p>
+
+<p>And now this!</p>
+
+<p>Yes, after all her boasting, after all her
+self-confidence, her belief that she could not
+and would not fall into greater sin through her
+own conceit and vanity.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie knew all this; knew how confident
+Gracie had been in her own strength; knew
+what a bitter shame and mortification it must
+be to have this known; knew that it must be long
+before she could regain the trust and respect of
+her schoolmates after this thing should once be
+told. During the last few months Gracie had
+lost much of the liking and affection of her
+little friends; but not one among them would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
+have believed her capable of deliberate deceit
+or of that which was not strictly honest.</p>
+
+<p>Ah! it was a great and terrible fall. Bessie
+felt this as well as Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>But she knew also that there was but one
+thing for Gracie to do; but one way in which
+she could have any peace or comfort once
+more.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie was not the child for Gracie to put
+confidence in, if she expected advice that was
+not plain and straightforward.</p>
+
+<p>"What <em>shall</em> I do, Bessie?" she repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you'll have to tell, dear," said the
+pitying little voice beside her.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie actually shrank in a kind of terror
+at the thought; and yet she had known that
+this was what Bessie would say.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I can't, I can't; I never can," she
+moaned.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Gracie, dear," said the little monitress,
+"I don't think you will ever feel happy and
+comfortable again till you do; and Jesus is
+displeased with you all the time till you do it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>
+If you told about it and tried to make it up to
+Nellie, then He would be pleased with you
+again. And then you could have comfort in
+that even if people were rather cross to you
+about it. And, Gracie, Maggie and I will not
+be offended with you. I know Maggie will
+not; and we'll coax the other girls not to tease
+you or be unkind to you about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you think it was so very wicked in
+me then?" asked Gracie. "O Bessie! you
+are such a good child, I don't believe you ever
+have wicked thoughts. You don't know how
+hard it is sometimes not to do wrong when
+you want to do it very much,&mdash;when a
+very, very great temptation comes, like this."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Bessie, "I think I do, Gracie.
+And you are very much mistaken when you
+say I never have naughty thoughts. I have
+them very often, and the only way I can make
+them go is, to ask Jesus to help me, and to
+keep asking Him till they do go, and the temptation
+too. Perhaps, when you had the temptation
+to do this you did not remember to ask."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, I did not," said Gracie. "But, Bessie,
+it never seemed to me that I <em>could</em> do a
+thing that was not quite true and honest. And
+I suppose it has come because I thought too
+much of myself and wanted too much to have
+my work the best. It was not that I cared
+about the money, for you know that was for
+Jessie and her grandfather; but I wanted
+every one to say mine was the best; and it
+made me so mad that any one should say
+Nellie's was better than mine. If I had not
+cared so very much, Hattie would not have
+persuaded me, for I <em>did</em> know it was horribly
+mean. You never had a temptation like this,
+Bessie."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," said Bessie slowly. "I
+think I once had one something like it. Don't
+you remember, Gracie, that time you lost your
+prize composition and we found it in the
+drawer of the hall-table?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Gracie, "and how cross
+I was about it, and how hateful to you and
+Maggie."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Bessie, "I had a very hard
+temptation that time. I found the composition
+first, and I wanted to leave it there and
+not tell any one, 'cause I wanted Maggie to
+have the prize so much; and at first it did not
+seem so very wrong to me, and I tried to think
+I <em>ought</em> not to tell, because then my own
+Maggie could have the prize; but I did not
+feel sure about it, so I asked Jesus to let me
+see what I ought to do, and then I saw it
+quite plain, and knew I must take the composition
+to you. But it was a dreadful temptation,
+Gracie."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Gracie with a sigh, feeling
+deeply the difference between herself and her
+dear little playmate who had so bravely
+resisted temptation. For she knew how very
+anxious Bessie had been that Maggie should
+gain the prize.</p>
+
+<p>"But you did not <em>do</em> the thing you were
+tempted to do," she said. "What would you
+do if you had, Bessie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should go right away and tell my mamma;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span>
+and perhaps she could find some way to
+help me out of it," said Bessie. "Anyway,
+she ought to know, and she will tell you what
+you ought to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it will make mamma feel dreadfully,"
+said Gracie. "She was always telling me I
+would fall into trouble some day because I
+thought too much of myself; but, oh, dear!
+she never could have believed I would do this.
+Wouldn't you feel awfully, Bessie, if you had
+done it?"</p>
+
+<p>Yes, indeed. Bessie felt that she should;
+it almost seemed to her that she should die if
+she had such a weight on her mind and
+conscience, and she felt for Gracie most
+deeply.</p>
+
+<p>But still she knew that Gracie would never
+feel right again till she had made confession,
+and she once more urged it upon her; confession
+to God and man; and at last Gracie
+promised.</p>
+
+<p>Promised with many tears and sobs; but
+that promise once given, she became in haste<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>
+to have it over and to go home to her mamma
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Ask your mamma to let me go home as
+soon as she can, Bessie," she pleaded. "Tell
+her I do not feel well, for I do not really.
+My head aches and I feel all shaky, as if I
+could not hold still; and I don't want to see
+any one down stairs again or to have any
+supper."</p>
+
+<p>Bessie was about to leave her to do as she
+was asked, when Mrs. Bradford came in.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie and Bessie," she said, "are you
+here? You were so long in coming that I
+feared something was wrong. Will you not
+come down and have some supper, Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p>Gracie did not speak, but held fast to
+Bessie's hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma," said the little girl, "Gracie does
+not feel well, and she would like to go home as
+soon as you could send her. She's quite
+trembling, mamma. I feel her."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Bradford took Gracie's hand in hers
+and found that it was indeed cold and trembling,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+while her temples were hot and throbbing;
+for over-excitement and worry had made
+her really ill, and the lady saw that she was
+more fit for bed than for the supper-room.</p>
+
+<p>She told Gracie she should go home immediately,
+and putting on her hat led her down
+stairs, and calling Mr. Bradford, begged him
+to take the poor little girl home and explain
+matters to her mamma.</p>
+
+<p>Gracie clung to Bessie for a good-night kiss,
+whispering, "I will do it, Bessie; no matter
+what comes after, I will do it."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Bradford took her home,&mdash;it was not
+far from his house,&mdash;talking cheerfully by the
+way and trying to keep her amused; but,
+though Gracie felt he was kind, she hardly
+knew what he was saying, her mind was so
+taken up with the thought of the dreadful
+secret she had to confess.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard was startled, as was only
+natural, to see her little girl coming home so
+much before she had expected her; and Mr.
+Bradford's assurance that he did not think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>
+there was much wrong with Gracie, and that
+she would be well after a good night's sleep,
+did not quiet her fears, especially when she
+looked in Gracie's face.</p>
+
+<p>She quickly undressed her and put her to
+bed; but, longing as Gracie was to have her
+confession over, she could not tell it while the
+nurse was in the room; and it was not until
+she was safely in bed, and the woman sent to
+prepare some medicine, that she gave vent to
+the tears she had managed to keep back before
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"There, there, my darling," said her mother
+soothingly. "You will be better soon. Do
+not be frightened; this is only a little
+nervousness."</p>
+
+<p>"O mamma, mamma!" cried poor Gracie;
+"you ought not to be so kind to me. You
+don't know how bad, how very bad I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any thing especially wrong just
+now, Gracie?" asked her mother gently.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mamma; oh, yes. I have&mdash;I have&mdash;put
+your head closer, mamma, and let me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>
+whisper;" and then, with her face hidden
+against her mother's shoulder, came the
+confession, made with many bitter tears and
+sobs.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard was greatly shocked; she
+could hardly speak when she heard all.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall you ever be able to forgive me,
+mamma?" sobbed Gracie. "I know, I know
+you think me perfectly dreadful, but if you
+could try me just this once, and see if I ever
+do such a thing again. Indeed, I don't think
+I could. I know I am not too good to do it,
+as I thought I was before; but I have felt so
+dreadfully ever since I did it, I don't think I
+could ever punish myself so again."</p>
+
+<p>"I can believe that you have been very
+unhappy, my child," said her mother; "indeed
+I have seen it, though I did not know the
+cause. But you have need to ask a higher
+forgiveness than mine."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, mamma," said Gracie; "but&mdash;but&mdash;I
+suppose Nellie and the other children
+must be told?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I fear so, Gracie," said her mother.
+"Nellie must be righted and have her own
+mat again, and I do not see how we are to
+avoid having the rest of the children hear this
+terrible thing also. I must see Miss Ashton
+in the morning and talk it over with her, and
+we will arrange what is best to be done. But
+now you must try to be quiet and go to sleep.
+You are over-excited and will be really ill, so
+I can allow you to talk no more. But before
+you sleep, my child, make your peace with your
+Father in heaven, and ask Him to help you
+to bear the punishment you have brought upon
+yourself by your naughty pride and ambition."</p>
+
+<p>Gracie obeyed her mother as well as she
+was able; and, truly repentant, we may hope,
+at last fell into a troubled sleep.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 175px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image30.jpg" width="175" height="50" alt="leaves" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 218px;">
+<a name="fair" id="fair"><img src="images/image31.jpg" width="218" height="125" alt="Bird on nest" />
+</a></div>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>XII.</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;"><big><em>THE FAIR.</em></big></p>
+
+
+<div><img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap-t.jpg"
+width="50" height="50" alt="t" /></div>
+<p><span class="dropletter">T</span>HE next day was Saturday, when there
+was no school, so that Mrs. Howard
+was able to see Miss Ashton and tell
+her the sad story, quite early in the morning.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton was much grieved and surprised;
+for, as she told Mrs. Howard, although
+she had known that Gracie's high thoughts of
+herself and belief that she was wiser and
+better than any of her companions often led
+her into exaggeration, yet she could not have
+believed her capable of any thing that was
+really mean and dishonorable.</p>
+
+<p>She was distressed, too, at the thought of the
+exposure and mortification which must follow;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>
+for it seemed necessary, for Nellie's sake, that
+not only Grandmamma Howard, but the whole
+school should know the truth. She and Mrs.
+Howard talked it all over for some time, but
+neither of the two ladies saw any way to avoid
+this disgrace for Gracie. They would willingly
+have spared her the punishment, if possible,
+for she had already suffered severely, and she
+seemed so truly humble and repentant that her
+mother did not believe there was much fear
+she would again fall into this sin.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard had thought last night that
+perhaps she ought to deprive Gracie of any
+share in the fair; but that must make her
+disgrace very well known, and now she hoped
+that there was no need of further punishment
+to make her see and feel her great fault.</p>
+
+<p>And now Grandmamma Howard must be
+seen and told the sad story. Mrs. Howard
+knew that she would be much distressed that
+her kind plan should turn out so badly.
+Neither Gracie's mamma nor Miss Ashton had
+quite approved of that plan; especially on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>
+Gracie's account, but they could not well say
+so and cross the good old lady.</p>
+
+<p>It was as they had feared. Grandmamma
+was very much grieved and disturbed to know
+that what she had intended to be a help and a
+kindness, had only proved a source of trouble,
+and an encouragement to Gracie's besetting
+sin.</p>
+
+<p>There yet remained to Mrs. Howard the
+still more painful task of telling Nellie how
+she had been wronged. She would have
+thought it right to make Gracie do this herself,
+had it not been that the child was really
+ill that morning, and in no state for further
+excitement; and it was not just to Nellie to
+put off the confession any longer.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie was filled with amazement. Much as
+she had wondered over the unfortunate spot
+upon the mat she supposed to be hers, she had
+never dreamed of a thing like this, nor had
+she the least suspicion of the truth. Indeed,
+how should she?</p>
+
+<p>She was a quiet child, with a more wise and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>
+thoughtful little head than those who did not
+know her well would have given her credit
+for; but words did not come to her very
+readily, and, after the first surprise was over,
+she only said to Mrs. Howard, with the tears
+in her eyes,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Please tell Gracie I am not angry with
+her, and hope she will be friends with me
+once more. Let's try not to think about it
+any more than we can help; will you, Mrs.
+Howard?"</p>
+
+<p>Generous, forgiving Nellie! How ashamed
+Gracie felt when her mother told her this, and
+she contrasted Nellie's conduct with her own.</p>
+
+<p>She lay upon her little bed that afternoon,
+feeling wretched both in mind and body,
+though it was a relief to remember that she
+had confessed all to mamma, and that she had
+set her face toward the right way once more,
+when Mrs. Howard came in bringing Nellie
+with her.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Gracie gave a low sob, and covered her
+face with her hands in utter shame and distress,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>
+feeling as if she could not bear to have
+Nellie look at her.</p>
+
+<p>But in a moment Nellie was beside her,
+saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Don't, Gracie; please don't. You needn't
+feel so very badly about it now. I don't care
+much, and we'll make it all up."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Nellie, Nellie! I don't deserve you to
+be so kind to me," sobbed Gracie. "I was
+so hateful to you and so jealous, and it seemed
+as if I could not bear to have you go before
+me in any thing. I know I've been just too
+hateful to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, never mind now," said Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Howard had gone out and left the two
+children together.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't help minding," said Gracie; "and,
+only think, Nellie, all the other girls in the
+school will have to know, and it will shame
+me almost to death. I hope, I hope mamma
+will never make me go back to school, and I
+mean to stay away from the fair, any way."</p>
+
+<p>"That is what I came to see you about,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>
+said Nellie. "The girls need not know,
+Gracie. You see my&mdash;your&mdash;the mat with
+the ink-spot on it is nearly finished now, so I
+have done about as much work on one as on the
+other. And I don't care so very much about
+having mine called the best, for the money
+will do Jessie and her grandfather just as
+much good, no matter who earns it. So if
+each of us finishes the one she has now, it
+will be all the same, and the rest of the
+children need never know it. I am sure,
+Gracie, I should feel just as you do, and never
+want to come back to school again or see any
+of our class if I had done this, and I know
+just how badly you must feel. So I thought
+about it, and it seemed to me it would come
+right again if we just went on with the work
+as if this had not been found out; I mean if
+you had not told. I'd rather no one would
+know it but just those who know now. Don't
+you think we could arrange it so, Gracie?
+Your mother gave me leave to tell you this,
+and says she would be very glad for you if it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>
+can be done, and she thinks Miss Ashton will
+be willing."</p>
+
+<p>To hear the earnest, wistful voice one might
+have supposed that generous, great-hearted
+Nellie was pleading for some great boon for
+herself.</p>
+
+<p>But she could not tell all that Gracie felt.
+No, indeed; she did not know what coals of
+fire she was heaping on her head; how perfectly
+humbled and remorseful she felt as she
+remembered all the hard thoughts she had
+cherished toward her; the unkind words and
+unjust actions of which she had been guilty;
+all forgotten now, it seemed, by Nellie, who
+was only anxious to make the path of repentance
+as easy as possible to her, and to avoid
+all unnecessary shame and exposure to the one
+who had so greatly injured her.</p>
+
+<p>With many sobs and broken words she told
+Nellie all that was in her heart, beseeching
+her forgiveness, and thanking her over and
+over for her consideration and sweet thoughtfulness;
+not that she put it in just such words,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>
+but in those that were very simple and very
+touching to Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>So peace was made between them,&mdash;a peace
+that was sure to be lasting and true where
+there was such sincere repentance on one side,
+such good will and hearty forgiveness on the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>Grandmamma Howard was only too glad
+on Gracie's account to accept Nellie's generous
+proposal.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ashton also agreed that the matter
+should go no further, and so it was arranged,
+and further disgrace to Gracie avoided, although
+the weight of shame and remorse was
+not readily lifted from her heart, and she felt
+as if her schoolmates must know her secret
+and that she dared scarcely look them in the
+face.</p>
+
+<p>They all wondered at the new humility and
+modesty which she now began to show; but
+the change was an agreeable one, and drew
+forth no unkind remarks.</p>
+
+<p>A prettier sight than Miss Ashton's garden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>
+and piazza on that lovely June afternoon when
+the long-talked-of fair took place, would have
+been hard to find. Kind friends had decked
+the spot tastefully; flowers were everywhere
+in abundance; the tables conveniently and
+becomingly arranged; and the display of articles
+upon them was not only tempting, but
+such as had been manufactured by the children
+did them wonderful credit. Flags, ribbons,
+wreaths, and festoons, all joined to make the
+scene gay; and in and out, among and below
+them flitted the white-robed "little sunbeams,"
+who lent the fairest life and brightness to the
+scene.</p>
+
+<p>"Sunbeams" they all were that day, indeed.
+No cloud appeared to darken their happiness,
+no ill-temper, jealousy, or desire to outvie one
+another was heard or seen. Even Gracie and
+Hattie, who were each rather oppressed with
+the sense of past naughtiness, and the feeling
+of what the others would say and think if they
+knew all, could not but be bright and gay
+amid this pleasant companionship.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Gracie had told Hattie that she had confessed
+her sin to her mother, and the latter
+knew that some share of blame must have
+fallen to her; so, although she did not look
+upon it in as serious a light as Gracie did, she
+had an uncomfortable and conscious feeling.
+Miss Ashton had talked to her more seriously
+than she had ever done before, and had also
+informed her parents of what had taken place,
+telling them that she did not wish to disgrace
+Hattie, and so, as it was near the close of
+school, she would not ask them to remove her
+now; but that she could not take her back in
+the fall. Hattie's utter disregard of truth had
+already brought too much trouble into her
+little flock for her to risk any further mischief
+from that source.</p>
+
+<p>Hattie's parents had been much mortified
+and displeased, and the child herself had been
+severely punished; but I doubt if the punishment
+had been altogether just; for how was
+the child who saw equivocation and deceit used
+at home as a means of family government<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span>
+when convenience demanded it, to learn the
+value of the jewel thus sullied, or to judge of
+the line where it was believed that falsehood
+must stop and truth and uprightness begin?</p>
+
+<p>As for generous Nellie, she seemed to have
+no recollection of what had passed, unless it
+was in the new and caressing tenderness of
+her manner toward Gracie; not a patronizing
+manner, but one full of encouragement and
+helpfulness.</p>
+
+<p>The other children wondered not only at
+Gracie's new gentleness and modesty, but also
+at the sudden intimacy which seemed to have
+sprung up between these two.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe," said Lily privately, "it is because
+Gracie is learning to think better of herself"&mdash;which
+was just the opposite from what
+Lily meant&mdash;"and Nellie's trying to help her."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Maggie; "perhaps Gracie is
+learning it is 'never too late to mend,' which
+would make her much more agreeable, and
+other people would think more of her. I do
+think she is improved."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Maggie had yielded not alone to the persuasions
+of Miss Ashton, but also to an earnest
+appeal from Gracie, and accepted once more
+the title of Queen. And very well she became
+it, standing in front of her throne&mdash;which
+she could not be persuaded to occupy&mdash;within
+the pretty bower into which one end of the
+piazza had been turned, according to her ideas.
+Bessie, Belle, and Lily were her "maids of
+honor," and helped her to sell the bouquets
+and baskets of flowers with which she was
+bountifully supplied; and they drove a thriving
+trade; for so many sweet smiles, bright looks,
+and winning words went with the flowers that
+the stock within the "Queen's Bower" was
+much in demand. She had her band of music
+too, for half a dozen canary-birds hung within
+and around the bower, and, excited by the
+laughter and chatter about them, seemed to try
+which could sing the loudest and sweetest.</p>
+
+<p>Jessie's parrot was on exhibition, lent by
+his present owner for the occasion, down in
+the old summer-house at the end of the garden,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>
+where Jessie herself took the ten cents
+admission fee, and made him display all his
+accomplishments.</p>
+
+<p>And the Doll! She must have a capital
+letter to do justice to her perfections. Of all
+the dolls that ever were seen or heard or
+thought of, that doll surely took the lead. It
+would be of no use for me to describe her or
+her toilet, for if you should ever see her,
+you would surely tell me that I had not told
+one half.</p>
+
+<p>It was nearly the hour at which the fair was
+"to begin," and the children were all gathered
+about the table on which she was displayed,
+when there came a ring at the front door-bell.</p>
+
+<p>Away fluttered every little saleswoman to
+her appointed stand, hoping that this might be
+the first customer.</p>
+
+<p>And so it proved; for it was no less a person
+than old Mrs. Howard, who had purposely
+timed her arrival so that she might be there
+before any other person.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my dears," she said, looking round<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>
+upon the smiling young faces about her, "this
+is a pretty sight. And, industrious as I know
+you have been, and kind as your friends have
+been, I should hardly have thought it possible
+that you should have made such a fine show
+on your tables. But you know I have some
+especial business with you, and I have come
+early that we may have it over before the rush
+begins."</p>
+
+<p>This was very encouraging. Mrs. Howard
+thought it probable they would have "a rush"
+of customers, and who should know better
+than she?</p>
+
+<p>"You remember I offered six prizes for
+different articles to be worked for me," continued
+the old lady, "but there are only four
+finished, as you know. My little grand-daughter,
+Gracie, felt that she had not
+displayed a proper spirit about them, and
+she decided not to finish hers for the fair,
+but to leave it and complete it for me afterwards."</p>
+
+<p>This had been Gracie's own proposal to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span>
+her mother and grandmother, and they had
+allowed her to have her own way, thinking
+that this willingness to put herself behind the
+others, and to give up even the show of strife
+with Nellie, told of a spirit of true repentance,
+as indeed it did. When the other children
+had asked with much surprise where her mat
+was, she had answered quietly that she could
+not finish it. This had not proved any loss
+to the fair, because the time she would have
+devoted to the mat had been given to other
+articles.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, then," continued Mrs. Howard, "are
+two toilet sets and two mats for me to judge
+between. Of the latter, the one Nellie Ransom
+brings is certainly the best in point of
+work; but it has unfortunately received a bad
+ink-stain. Now those of us who know Nellie
+are very sure that this has not come through
+any neglect or carelessness of her own, and
+since she did not do it herself it seems hard
+that she should suffer for it. I should be quite
+willing to overlook it, for this is really the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span>
+best piece of work among the four; but I
+cannot do so unless the others are willing.
+Those among you who think Nellie ought not
+to be a loser by this misfortune, raise your
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>Instantly every little hand was raised, and
+if one were before another it was Gracie's.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; that is satisfactory," said Mrs.
+Howard. "Nellie, my dear, here are ten dollars
+for your mat, the first money taken in for
+your fair. The second sum, I think, must go
+to Maggie's toilet set&mdash;ah! yes, Maggie's and
+Bessie's, I should have said," as she saw the
+look which Maggie turned upon her sister,
+as if wishing that she should have her full
+share of credit&mdash;"the third to Dora's mat,
+and the fourth to Hattie's toilet set. You
+are all satisfied, I trust, with this arrangement."</p>
+
+<p>There was a murmur of assent, and this
+part of the business was settled.</p>
+
+<p>"And now," said Mrs. Howard, "I want to
+say that I think I made a mistake in offering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>
+these rates of prices, and so exciting you to
+outvie one another. I meant to give you a
+motive for trying to improve yourselves, but I
+believe it was not a good principle to set you
+thus one against the other, and I know that it
+has led to some hard feeling and unkindness.
+But that, I trust, is now all healed, and I shall
+take care not to put such temptation in your
+way again."</p>
+
+<p>The children all thought they knew what
+Mrs. Howard meant, and with true courteousness
+they all avoided looking at Gracie.</p>
+
+<p>But this was as much as was ever known by
+any of them, save the two or three who had
+been in the secret, of Gracie's temptation and
+fall. That she had been jealous and unkind
+to Nellie, they had all seen; that she had gone
+further and been led into deceit and meanness,
+they never heard. Hattie, for her own sake,
+held her peace for once; and penitent Gracie
+had not to face the scorn and wonder of all
+her schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>After this Mrs. Howard went about from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>
+table to table, purchasing not only one article,
+but generally two or three, from each little
+saleswoman; but she said she would not
+remove them till the fair was over, so that
+they might still add to the appearance of their
+tables. They were all marked SOLD in
+enormous, staring letters, that there might be
+no possibility of mistake.</p>
+
+<p>And now, customer after customer began to
+flock in, and among the earlier arrivals came
+Mr. Powers, who was immediately seized upon
+by Belle, and led to the table where the baby
+doll lay in her glory.</p>
+
+<p>Now it had been announced that whoever
+offered the highest price for this famous infant
+was to have her, and it was not to be told till
+the close of the fair who had done this. The
+names of would-be purchasers, with the amount
+each offered, were written down by Miss Annie
+Stanton, who still held the doll in charge,
+lest too eager little hands should mar her
+beauties.</p>
+
+<p>"Please offer a whole lot, papa; I do want<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span>
+her so," said Belle. "Isn't she lovely? Did
+you ever see such a doll?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Powers expressed all the admiration he
+thought needful, which did not nearly satisfy
+Belle, who was only half consoled by what she
+thought a want of proper interest by Maggie's
+whispered assurance that men "never did
+appreciate dolls, and it was quite useless to
+expect it of them. It did not seem to be born
+in them."</p>
+
+<p>However, Mr. Powers put down his name
+and the sum he would give, which last remained
+for the present a secret between him
+and Miss Annie Stanton.</p>
+
+<p>Mamie Stone was as eager about the doll
+as Belle, and her mamma was called upon also
+to offer a high price for the treasure.</p>
+
+<p>But my "Sunbeam" would lengthen itself
+far beyond its sister rays if I should tell you
+all that took place at the fair. Enough to say
+that it was a great success, and that a sum
+was taken in that was more than sufficient to
+purchase Jessie's parrot back and to provide<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span>
+a comfortable home for herself and her
+grandfather for at least a year to come.
+That is, with what the little girl might hope
+to make herself by the further sale of her
+wares.</p>
+
+<p>Evening came, bringing with it the great
+interest of the day, the announcement of the
+munificent purchaser of the doll, and every
+little heart beat high with hope that it might
+be some friend of her own, who would bestow
+the coveted prize upon her.</p>
+
+<p>It proved to be Grandmamma Howard.</p>
+
+<p>Belle stood in an agony of expectation,
+squeezing her father's hand and scarcely
+breathing in the hush that came before the
+name was spoken; and when she heard "Mrs.
+Howard," a rush of color dyed her face, and
+a look of blank disappointment overspread it.
+She looked up and caught her father's gaze
+fixed anxiously upon her. She dashed her
+little hand across her eyes to scatter the tears
+that would well up, and, forcing a smile, said
+with a trembling lip, "Never mind, papa,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span>
+you meant me to have it, so it was just as
+good of you."</p>
+
+<p>Her father stooped and kissed her, rejoicing
+in her sweetness and determined good temper.
+A little more than a year since, a tempest of
+tears and sobs would have broken from his
+over-indulged child; but now she had learned
+to control herself and to be contented and
+pleasant even when things did not go quite her
+own way. She was all smiles and brightness
+again in a few minutes, nearly consoled for
+her disappointment by her papa's caress and
+his few whispered words of blessing.</p>
+
+<p>All believed that Gracie or one of her little
+sisters would be presented with the doll by
+her grandmother; and great, therefore, was
+the amazement of the circle of young friends
+when the next day it was rumored, then made
+certain, that Mrs. Howard had sent it to Nellie
+Ransom.</p>
+
+<p>Every child wondered "why," and so did
+more than one grown person; for the Howards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>
+and the Ransoms were not, as Maggie said,
+"very intimate, and it was rather surprising
+Mrs. Howard should think of giving such a
+present to Nellie. But she seems to have
+taken a great fancy to her, and Nellie quite
+deserves it," she added.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if she gave it to her because of
+the mat," said Mamie Stone.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it was because she is such a
+serious child," said Lily. "I find old people
+like <em>seriosity</em>, and Nellie has a great deal of
+it."</p>
+
+<p>So they judged, these little ones. Nellie,
+gentle, unobtrusive "little sunbeam" that she
+was, went on her quiet way, shedding light
+and warmth in many an unsuspected nook and
+corner, and bringing now and then some
+hidden seed to blossom in beauty and fragrance.</p>
+
+<p>Only one of her schoolmates ever suspected
+that it was her thoughtful care for Gracie's
+character and feelings, her sweet forgiving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>
+spirit which led her to forget past injuries,
+which had won for her the gift of the much
+coveted doll, and given her a high place in the
+love and admiration of the few who knew all
+the story.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 68px;">
+<img style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;" src="images/image32.jpg" width="68" height="75" alt="flower" />
+</div>
+
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;">Cambridge: Press of John Wilson and Son.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+
+
+
+<div class="transnote">
+
+<big>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</big>
+
+<p>Obvious printer errors have been corrected.
+Otherwise, the author's original spelling,
+punctuation and hyphenation have been left
+intact.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jessie's Parrot, by Joanna Mathews
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+</pre>
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+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jessie's Parrot, by Joanna Mathews
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Jessie's Parrot
+
+Author: Joanna Mathews
+
+Release Date: November 7, 2013 [EBook #44123]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JESSIE'S PARROT ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Melissa McDaniel, Chris Whitehead and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+(This file was produced from images generously made
+available by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+_LITTLE SUNBEAMS._
+
+
+
+IV.
+
+JESSIE'S PARROT.
+
+
+
+
+=By the Author of this Volume.=
+
+I.
+
+LITTLE SUNBEAMS.
+
+By JOANNA H. MATHEWS, Author of the "Bessie Books."
+
+    I. BELLE POWERS' LOCKET. 16mo           $1.00
+   II. DORA'S MOTTO. 16mo                    1.00
+  III. LILY NORRIS' ENEMY                    1.00
+   IV. JESSIE'S PARROT                       1.00
+    V. MAMIE'S WATCHWORD                     1.00
+
+II.
+
+THE FLOWERETS.
+
+A series of Stories on the Commandments. 6 vols. In a
+  box                                       $3.60
+
+"It is not easy to say too good a word for this admirable series.
+Interesting, graphic, impressive, they teach with great distinctness
+the cardinal lessons which they would have the youthful reader
+learn."--_S. S. Times._
+
+III.
+
+THE BESSIE BOOKS.
+
+  6 vols. In a box                          $7.50
+
+"Bessie is a very charming specimen of little girlhood. It is a lovely
+story of home and nursery life among a family of bright, merry little
+children."--_Presbyterian._
+
+
+ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,
+_New York_.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Jessie's Parrot.
+
+FRONTISPIECE.]
+
+
+
+
+  JESSIE'S PARROT.
+
+
+  "A HAUGHTY SPIRIT GOETH BEFORE A FALL."
+
+
+
+  "He that is down need fear no fall,
+    He that is low no pride,
+   He that is humble ever shall
+    Have God to be his guide."
+
+
+
+  BY
+
+  JOANNA H. MATHEWS,
+
+  AUTHOR OF THE "BESSIE BOOKS" AND THE "FLOWERETS."
+
+
+
+
+  NEW YORK:
+  ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,
+  530 BROADWAY.
+  1876.
+
+
+
+
+  Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by
+  ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,
+  In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
+
+
+
+
+
+  CAMBRIDGE:
+  PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON.
+
+
+
+
+  CONTENTS.
+
+
+  CHAP.                                        PAGE
+
+     I. THE NEW SCHOLAR                           9
+
+    II. AN EXCURSION                             31
+
+   III. JESSIE AND HER GRANDFATHER               52
+
+    IV. THE PARROT                               69
+
+     V. GRANDMAMMA HOWARD                        90
+
+    VI. JEALOUSY                                110
+
+   VII. A MISFORTUNE                            129
+
+  VIII. "THE SPIDER AND THE FLY"                148
+
+    IX. A GUILTY CONSCIENCE                     168
+
+     X. A GAME OF CHARACTERS                    189
+
+    XI. CONFESSION                              205
+
+   XII. THE FAIR                                223
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+JESSIE'S PARROT.
+
+I.
+
+_THE NEW SCHOLAR._
+
+
+"Fanny Leroy is going away from our school," said Carrie Ransom one
+morning to Belle Powers and two or three more of her young schoolmates.
+
+"Oh, dear! I'm sorry," said Belle.
+
+"So am I," said Dora Johnson. "Why is she going?"
+
+"Has she finished her education, and is she never going to school any
+more?" asked Mabel Walton.
+
+"Why, no," said Belle; "she's nothing but a little girl; and you don't
+finish your education till you're quite grown up and have long dresses."
+
+"Why is she going away?" asked Lily. "I don't want her to go. I like
+Fanny."
+
+"So do I. She's real nice," said Carrie; "but she is going, for all,
+'cause her father and mother and all her family are going to Europe and
+she is going with them."
+
+"I wish she wouldn't," said Belle; and one and another echoed their
+sorrow at the loss of their schoolmate.
+
+Fanny had always been well liked in the school; but now that they were
+about to lose her the little girls found that they were even more fond
+of her than they had supposed, and many regrets were expressed when, a
+moment later, she came in accompanied by Gracie Howard.
+
+Fanny herself was very melancholy and low, for this was to be the last
+day at school, as she informed the other children; the journey to
+Europe having been decided upon rather suddenly, and the departure was
+to take place within a few days. Nevertheless, although she was sorry
+to part with her teacher and classmates, and in mortal dread of the
+voyage, she felt herself rather of a heroine, and entitled to be made
+much of.
+
+"We'll have an empty place in our school then," said Belle.
+
+"No," said Fanny, "for my cousin Hattie is coming to take my place; it
+is all arranged, and Miss Ashton says she can come."
+
+"Is she nice?" asked Lily.
+
+"Well--yes," answered Fanny, half doubtfully.
+
+"You don't seem to think she's so _very_," said Belle.
+
+No, Fanny evidently had her own opinion on this subject; but as she
+was not a child who was ready to speak ill of the absent, she would
+not say more than she could help. But the interest and curiosity of
+her schoolmates were aroused, and they could not be satisfied without
+hearing more.
+
+"I know Hattie," said Gracie Howard, who was more intimate with Fanny
+and her family than any of the other children,--"I know Hattie, and I
+like her. She thinks I am very nice. She told me so."
+
+This was plainly the highest of recommendations in Gracie's eyes. Any
+one who admired her was sure of her favor; but this fact did not have
+quite as much weight with her companions as it did with herself, and
+they turned once more to Fanny.
+
+"But tell us, Fanny," said Lily Norris, "why don't you like her so very
+much?"
+
+Fanny looked, as she felt, uncomfortable at this close question.
+
+"Why," she answered reluctantly, "I do like her; she's my cousin, you
+know, so I have to; but then--but then--I think I'll let you wait till
+she comes to find out the kind of girl she is. Maybe you'll like her
+very much. Gracie does."
+
+Fanny had her own doubts whether Gracie or any of the others would
+always continue to like Hattie as well as they might do upon a first
+acquaintance; but she very properly and generously resolved not to tell
+tales and prejudice the minds of the other children against the new
+comer. Better to give Hattie all the chance she could and let it be her
+own fault if she were not popular with her classmates.
+
+I cannot say that Fanny reasoned this out in just such words; but the
+kind thought was in her mind, and she resolved to hold her peace and
+say nothing unkind about her cousin. Would Hattie have done as much for
+her or for any one else? You shall judge for yourself by and by.
+
+The parting with Fanny was rather a sad one, for the children were all
+fond of her, and she took it so very hardly herself, declaring that
+she never expected to see any one of them again. For Fanny, though
+a very good and amiable little girl, was one who was apt to "borrow
+trouble," as the saying is; that is, she was always worrying herself
+about misfortunes which would, could, or might happen to herself or her
+friends.
+
+Therefore she now expressed her expectation of never seeing any of
+her young friends again, and when Lily very naturally inquired if the
+family meant to stay "for ever an' ever an' ever," said, "No, but
+people were very often drowned when they went to Europe in a steamer,
+and very likely she would be."
+
+Nor was she to be persuaded to take a more cheerful view of the future,
+even when Dora Johnson suggested that many more people crossed the
+ocean and returned in safety than were lost upon it. She was determined
+to dwell upon the possibilities, and even probabilities of her being
+shipwrecked, and took leave of her schoolmates with a view to such a
+fate.
+
+"Fanny did not act as if she thought we'd like her cousin Hattie very
+much, did she?" questioned Nellie Ransom as she walked homeward with
+Gracie Howard, Dora Johnson, and Laura Middleton.
+
+"No, she did not," said Laura. "Fanny don't tell tales or say unkind
+things about people, but it was quite plain she does not think so very
+much of Hattie Leroy."
+
+"I know the reason why," said Gracie.
+
+"What is it?" asked Laura.
+
+"Fanny said something very hateful about me," answered Gracie, "and
+Hattie told me of it; and just for that Fanny was mad at Hattie."
+
+"Well, I should think Fanny might be mad," said Laura. "Hattie had no
+right to tell you if Fanny didn't mean her to, and I don't believe she
+did."
+
+"No," said Gracie, "I don't suppose Fanny did want me to know it; but
+then she had no business to say it."
+
+"Hattie had no business to repeat it," said Dora indignantly; "if she
+is that kind of a girl I don't wonder Fanny don't like her, and I wish
+she was not coming to our school."
+
+"What did Fanny say?" asked Laura, who had her full share of curiosity.
+
+"She said--she-er--she-er--I'm not going to tell you what she said,"
+answered Gracie, who was really ashamed to confess what slight cause
+for offence Fanny had given, and that it was her own wounded self-love
+which made it appear so "hateful."
+
+But although Gracie would not tell her schoolmates, I shall tell you,
+for I know all about it.
+
+The mighty trouble was just this.
+
+Hattie Leroy had but lately come to live in the city, and just when her
+parents were looking around for a good school to send her to, Fanny's
+papa and mamma made up their minds to take her abroad. This left her
+place vacant in Miss Ashton's class, and, as you have heard, it was at
+once secured for her little cousin.
+
+Meanwhile Gracie and Hattie, who had met at Fanny's house, had struck
+up a violent _intimate friendship_ and were now much together.
+
+As may be supposed, Hattie was very curious respecting her future
+teacher and classmates, and asked both Fanny and Gracie many questions
+about them.
+
+But, although the accounts given by the two children agreed in most
+points, yet, in some way, the story told by Gracie left a very
+different impression from that of Fanny. The latter thought her teacher
+and classmates very nearly, if not quite, perfect, and bestowed her
+praise freely and without stint. Well, and if you had heard Gracie's
+report you might have said that she did the same; but whenever
+Gracie said one good word for another she said a dozen for herself.
+One girl was a very bright scholar, but she stood second to Gracie;
+another was always punctual and steady, but Gracie had still a higher
+number of marks for these two virtues--or at least if she did not
+_have_ them, she _deserved_ them, and it was the fault of some one
+else that they had not fallen to her share. Nellie Ransom wrote such
+fine compositions; but then, they were by no means to be compared
+to Gracie's own,--oh, dear, no! So it was with each and every one;
+whatever merit any child in the class possessed, Gracie's went beyond
+it.
+
+So at last Hattie quite naturally asked Fanny if Gracie were really the
+best child, the finest scholar, and the most admired and praised of all
+her classmates.
+
+"Why, no," answered Fanny; "Gracie is a very good scholar, and 'most
+always knows her lessons perfectly; but Nellie is even better than she
+is, and has kept the head of the spelling and history classes ever so
+long. And she generally writes the best compositions; but Gracie don't
+think so, and always says Miss Ashton is unjust if she gives Nellie the
+highest marks. But Gracie _is_ very smart, and can learn quicker than
+any of the rest of us; and she 'most always behaves well in school too."
+
+"Better than any one else?" asked Hattie.
+
+"No," said Fanny, rather indignantly; "there's lots of the children
+that are just as good as she is. She's not the best one in the school
+at all. She's good enough, but not so wonderful."
+
+"She thinks she is," said Hattie.
+
+"That's nothing," answered Fanny; "people's thinking they are a thing
+don't make them that thing, you know."
+
+"Then you think Gracie is conceited and thinks a great deal of herself,
+do you?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Why, yes," answered Fanny, though half reluctantly; "no one could help
+thinking that, you know."
+
+Fanny expressed herself in this manner more as a way of _excusing_ her
+own opinion of Gracie than as accusing her little playmate.
+
+"Who do you think _is_ the best child in all the school?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Well," answered Fanny, after a moment's reflection, "I b'lieve Belle
+Powers is. At least I think it is the best in her to be as good as she
+is, for she has to try pretty hard sometimes."
+
+"Why?" asked inquisitive Hattie again.
+
+"Because she has no mother, and she has always been a good deal spoiled
+by her papa and her old nurse. But I never saw any child who wanted to
+be good more than Belle, and she tries very much; and we are all very
+fond of her, and Miss Ashton excuses her things sometimes because she
+is sorry for her."
+
+"Don't that make you mad?" said Hattie.
+
+"No," answered Fanny with much energy; "we'd be real mean if we were
+mad when Belle has no mother. No, indeed; no one could bear to have
+Belle scolded; we all love her too much."
+
+Now this was seemingly a most innocent conversation; was it not? and
+one could hardly have supposed that it would have made trouble for poor
+Fanny as it did.
+
+Gracie and Fanny lived within a few doors of one another, the latter a
+little nearer to Miss Ashton's house than the former; and Gracie was in
+the habit of stopping for Fanny on her way to school that they might
+walk there together.
+
+But one morning a day or two after this, Fanny, standing by the window
+and watching for her young friend as usual, saw her go by with her
+maid without so much as turning her head or casting her eye up at the
+window where she must know Fanny awaited her.
+
+"It is the queerest thing I ever knew," said Fanny to her father as she
+walked along by his side a few moments later; "it 'most seems as if
+Gracie was offended with me to do so; but then she can't be, for I have
+not done a thing to her. I shall ask her right away, as soon as I am at
+school."
+
+But Fanny was only just in time to take off her hat and cloak and go to
+her seat before the bell rang, and so had no opportunity before school
+to inquire into the cause of Gracie's strange behavior.
+
+There was no need of words, however, to show that Gracie was indeed
+offended with her, for averted looks and scornful tossings of the head
+showed that plainly enough. Poor Fanny was hurt and uncomfortable, and
+vainly tried to imagine what she could have done that offended Gracie
+so much.
+
+She ran to her as soon as recess gave her liberty to speak.
+
+"Why, Gracie! what is the matter?" she asked. "Why did you not stop for
+me this morning?"
+
+"'Cause I did not choose to," answered Gracie shortly.
+
+"Are you mad with me?" asked Fanny, putting a very unnecessary
+question, for it was quite plain to all beholders that this was
+Gracie's state of mind.
+
+"Yes, I am; and I have a good right to be too," answered Gracie, her
+eyes flashing at Fanny.
+
+"What _have_ I done?" asked the innocent Fanny.
+
+"You need not pretend you don't know, Miss Hateful," replied Gracie,
+"nor pretend you haven't a guilty conscience. I've found you out! I'll
+never be friends with you again."
+
+"You ought to tell Fanny what it is, and let her make it up," said
+Belle.
+
+"She can't make it up. I've found her out before it was too late. She
+is a false, treacherous friend," said Gracie, waxing magnificent and
+severe in her reproaches, as she imagined.
+
+Poor Fanny, a tender-hearted, sensitive little thing, was overwhelmed
+by these upbraidings, which she was not conscious of deserving; but
+neither her entreaties nor those of the other children could draw more
+than this from Gracie, who turned away from them with an air of great
+offence, and holding her head very high with insulted dignity.
+
+"Augh!" said Lily Norris, who generally took up the cudgels in
+defence of any one whom she considered oppressed or injured, and who
+generally contrived to be quite as cutting and severe in her remarks
+as the offender had been; "you had better take care, Gracie; some day
+that nose of yours won't come down again, it is growing so used to
+sticking itself up at people. If when you're grown up people call you
+'stuck-up-nose Miss Howard,' you won't feel very complimented; but you
+can just remember it is the consequence of your being such a proudy
+when you was young."
+
+Gracie made no reply, except by raising both nose and head higher
+still, which expressive motion Lily answered by saying,--
+
+"Oh, _don't_ I feel like giving you a good slap!" with which she walked
+away, fearing perhaps that she might be too strongly tempted to put her
+desire into execution.
+
+Fanny was a good deal distressed, and the other children all felt much
+sympathy for her, for, as you will doubtless do, they thought Gracie's
+behavior not only unkind but also unjust.
+
+For, although such scenes as this were becoming quite too frequent
+in consequence of Gracie's ever increasing vanity and conceit, she
+generally was ready enough to proclaim the cause of offence; but
+now she was not only "hateful," as Lily called it, but "mysterious"
+also, and would give Fanny no opportunity of explaining the supposed
+grievance.
+
+Fanny went home both unhappy and vexed,--Gracie still carrying matters
+with a high hand and refusing even to walk on the same side of the
+street with her--and finding her cousin there, as was quite natural,
+she told her of the trouble with Gracie.
+
+Had Fanny not been too much disturbed to pay much attention to Hattie's
+manner, she might have seen that she looked uncomfortable when she
+told her story, fidgeting and coloring and having so little to say
+that Fanny thought her wanting in sympathy. But it was not until the
+next day that she discovered that Hattie was really the cause of the
+difficulty with Gracie. By that time she had heard that she was to sail
+for Europe in a few days, and this made her more unwilling than ever to
+be on bad terms with her young friend.
+
+Meeting Gracie in the street, the poor little grieved heart overflowed,
+and rushing up to her, Fanny exclaimed, "Oh, Gracie! don't be cross
+with me any more, for I'm going to Europe, and I expect I'll be drowned
+in the steamer, and then you'll be sorry you did not make up with me."
+
+This affecting prospect somewhat mollified Gracie's vexation; but still
+she answered in a tone of strong resentment,--
+
+"Well, then; and why did you say hateful things about me to Hattie?"
+
+"I didn't," said Fanny, who had so little intention of making unkind
+remarks about Gracie that she had really forgotten her conversation
+with Hattie. "I didn't. I never said a thing about you."
+
+"Hattie said you did," answered Gracie; "she says you told her I
+thought myself very wonderful, but I was not; and that 'most all the
+girls were better scholars than me."
+
+"I didn't," said Fanny indignantly.
+
+"And she says," continued Gracie, "that you said 'cause I thought
+myself good did not make me good, and that Nellie wrote better
+compositions than I did. And she says"--this was plainly the first and
+worst count in Gracie's eyes--"she says you said no one could help
+knowing I was conceited and stuck up."
+
+This last speech suddenly recalled to Fanny's mind what she _had_ said,
+and she was dismayed; nor could she see how she was to explain it to
+Gracie.
+
+She was fond of Gracie, who, when her self-conceit did not come in her
+way, was really a pleasant and lovable child; and, oh! how she did wish
+she had never allowed Hattie to lead her into that conversation about
+her schoolmates.
+
+She colored violently and exclaimed,--
+
+"Well, I did say that, but I did not say it in that way, Gracie. I
+don't quite know how it was, but it did not seem so bad as that when I
+said it. And Hattie asked me, so I couldn't help saying what I thought;
+but it wasn't of my own accord and--and--well, you know, Gracie, most
+all of us do think you think a good deal of yourself--but--oh, dear! it
+was too mean for Hattie to go and tell you; and somehow I suppose she's
+made you think it was worse than it was. 'Cause I didn't mean to say
+any thing hateful about you; but Hattie asked such a lot of questions,
+and I never thought she'd go and tell; and I'm going away, and I expect
+I'll never come back, and, oh, dear, it's too mean!"
+
+All this Fanny poured forth in a very distressed and excited manner,
+finishing by a burst of tears.
+
+Yes, it was indeed "too mean," and Gracie felt that Fanny had been
+shabbily treated. She had listened to Hattie's tell-tale report with
+a half-ashamed feeling, knowing that Fanny could never have thought
+that her words would be repeated; and, although anger and mortification
+had taken a strong hold upon her heart, she could not help seeing that
+Fanny had more cause of complaint than she had.
+
+So she put her arm about Fanny's neck, and, with what she considered
+magnanimous forgiveness, told her not to cry any more and she would
+"stop being mad."
+
+And when they talked the matter over and Fanny recalled what she _had_
+said, both of Gracie and of the other children in the class, it could
+not but be seen that Hattie had exaggerated as well as "told tales," so
+making mischief and bringing discord between the two little friends.
+And had Fanny been revengeful, or too proud to overlook Gracie's
+unkindness and beg her to tell her what had come between them the
+trouble might have been lasting, and they have parted for a long time
+with bitterness and resentment rankling in their breasts.
+
+But now there was peace between them once more, though Gracie did still
+secretly feel some vexation at Fanny for even allowing that she could
+be wrong, and took great credit to herself for being so forgiving and
+generous.
+
+And now you will not wonder that Fanny did not feel disposed to think
+Hattie "so very nice," although she, far more generous and charitable
+than her cousin, would not tell tales and prejudice the minds of her
+future schoolmates against her.
+
+But Gracie hardly thought the less of Hattie for what she had learned
+of her; for she always liked any one who admired her, and this Hattie
+professed to do; perhaps she really did so, for, as I have said, Gracie
+was a pleasant child, and very clever in many things.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+II.
+
+_AN EXCURSION._
+
+
+A large omnibus stood before the door of Miss Ashton's house, and had
+been waiting there some minutes. This was on a street where a line of
+omnibuses ran, and every now and then some would-be passenger made for
+the door of this one, when the driver would turn and say something
+which plainly disappointed him of his ride, at least in this particular
+stage.
+
+If such an individual chanced to glance up at the windows of Miss
+Ashton's house, he saw there a row of little faces in each of the
+parlor windows; and these same faces brimming over with smiles and
+dimples at the sight of his discomfiture, and the consciousness
+that this omnibus had been chartered for their especial pleasure and
+convenience, and that no mere passer-by had any right or title therein.
+
+Some people smiled in return to the happy little group, and nodded
+good-naturedly, as if to say,--
+
+"Oh, yes! it is all right, and we are glad you are going to enjoy
+yourselves, and hope you will have a very pleasant time;" but one or
+two looked cross, frowning and shaking their heads or shoulders in
+a displeased manner, and as if they had no sympathy with any simple
+pleasure or frolic.
+
+Upon each and all of these did the little observers pass remarks,
+according to what they believed to be their deserts.
+
+"Look at that man," said Belle Powers, "how very displeased he looks.
+Just as cross as any thing, because the driver wouldn't let him go in
+our stage."
+
+"I don't believe he likes children," said Bessie Bradford.
+
+"No," said her sister Maggie, "I think he cannot be one of the happy
+kind the Bible speaks about, that have their 'quivers full of them,'
+for which he is to be pitied, and we need not be very severe with him."
+
+"But can't people like children and be glad they are going to have
+a nice time, even if they don't have any in their own homes?" asked
+Carrie Ransom.
+
+"Yes, of course," said Maggie, always ready to find excuses for others;
+"but then probably that gentleman never had nice times himself when he
+was a child, and so he does not know how to appreciate them."
+
+Maggie's long words and elegant sentences always settled any doubtful
+point, and the "cross gentleman," who still stood upon the sidewalk
+waiting for the next passing omnibus, was now regarded with eyes
+of sympathy and pity, which were quite lost upon him as he scolded
+and grumbled at the "fuss that was made nowadays about children's
+pleasures."
+
+"Chartered for a troop of youngsters," he growled forth to another
+gentleman, who coming up also opened the door of the omnibus, and would
+have jumped in.
+
+Upon which the new-comer drew back, looked up smilingly at the windows
+of the house, nodded and waved his hand, receiving in return blushes
+and smiles for himself, with an answering nod or two from some of the
+least shy of the group.
+
+"He's glad," said Lily; "he is a nice gentleman, and I expect he has
+lots of little children who love him dearly, and that he tries to give
+them a good time."
+
+"And so is made happy himself," said Maggie. "There comes Patrick with
+the shawls and wraps."
+
+And now came Miss Ashton and a couple of lady friends, who had
+volunteered to go with her and help take care of the little party,
+bound for an excursion and ramble in the Central Park; and the signal
+being given for the merry group to take their places in the stage,
+forth they all fluttered, like so many birds; and amid much laughing
+and chattering stowed themselves away in the roomy conveyance.
+
+They were all seated, and Patrick, Mrs. Bradford's man, who had been
+_lent_ for the occasion, was mounting to his seat beside the driver,
+when another gentleman, coming up with a quick step, pulled open the
+door of the omnibus, and popped in. He was plainly shortsighted, and
+did not see how matters stood until he was fairly inside and looking
+about for a seat.
+
+Perhaps, indeed, his hearing taught him first, for he might almost
+have thought himself in a nest of sparrows with all that chirping and
+fluttering. A smothered laugh or two also broke forth as he entered,
+and he speedily saw that he had no right to a place there.
+
+"Ah! private, I see. Beg your pardon, ladies," he said good-naturedly,
+and jumped out again, turning with a bow, and "I wish you a pleasant
+time." Then, as he caught sight of a roguish face and a pair of
+dancing eyes watching him with a look of recognition, he said,--
+
+"Why, Lily, my dear! Glad to see you. Bound for a frolic? I hope you
+may enjoy yourself; and your schoolmates as well. A merry day to you,
+birdies." With which he banged the door and watched them off.
+
+"Who's that gentleman, Lily?" asked more than one voice.
+
+"He is Kitty Raymond's father. His name is Mr. Raymond," answered Lily.
+
+"He is a nice, pleasant gentleman, is he not?" asked Bessie.
+
+"Well, yes, he is very pleasant," said Lily, "but then he is an awful
+liar."
+
+"Oh-h-h! ah! ah!" broke from one and another of the children at Lily's
+very plain speaking; and Miss Ashton said reprovingly,--
+
+"Lily, my child! what a very improper expression for you to use, and of
+one so much older than yourself, too."
+
+"I don't care," said Lily, "it is true, Miss Ashton. I know he tells
+the most dreadful untrue stories, and that does make him a liar, I
+know. If children say what is very untrue, people say it is a lie; and
+when grown-ups say what is not true to children I don't see why they
+are not liars all the same. And Mr. Raymond don't tell little stories
+what you would call _fibs_, either, but real big, true _lies_, what Tom
+calls whoppers. So, though he is pleasant and good-natured, I don't
+think he is so very nice; and I'm glad he is not my papa."
+
+Miss Ashton hardly knew what to say, for if Lily's accusations were
+true,--and the child was not apt to accuse any one wrongfully,--her
+reasoning was quite just, and it was plainly to be seen that in some
+way her sense of right and truth had been grievously offended. But
+still she did not wish to have her speak in such an improper way, and
+she was about to say so again, when Lily broke forth once more with,--
+
+"Miss Ashton, I'll tell you, and you can just judge for yourself. The
+other day I was spending the afternoon with Kitty, and her little
+brother wanted to go down stairs with us, and his papa did not want him
+to go; so he told him that the big black man in the closet in the hall
+would catch him and put him up the chimney. And it _was a lie_! I say
+it was a real, true lie," persisted Lily, who was apt to be emphatic
+in her choice of words, "for Mr. Raymond knew there was no black man
+there, and he just made it up."
+
+"Was the little boy frightened?" asked Belle.
+
+"Yes, as frightened as any thing, and he really believes there is a
+black man in that closet; and Willie Raymond, who is six years old,
+will not go past that closet without some big person. And I did feel
+not very brave myself when I went past it," confessed Lily, "for all I
+knew there was no black man there--and if there was, he wouldn't hurt
+me, the poor, old fellow--and knew it was just a--well, if Miss Ashton
+says so, I'll call it a _fib_, but I shall _think_ it was a lie."
+
+Miss Ashton and the other ladies could hardly help smiling at Lily's
+tone; and the former felt that the child was so far right that she
+could scarcely reprove her again for her indignant attack upon this too
+common form of deceit.
+
+"And Mr. Raymond went and winked at me, just as if he thought _I_
+thought it was funny," pursued Lily; "but I thought it was only horrid,
+and I didn't smile a bit, but looked back at him very solemn. No, I
+don't like him, and I'm not going to."
+
+"You don't like him because you can't respect him," said Bessie with
+solemn gravity.
+
+"No, I just don't," answered Lily; "and I'm not going to go and have a
+respect for a person who tells--who says what is not true, not if they
+are as big and as old as a mountain."
+
+Lily's resolution was received with general approval; but now, at her
+suggestion, the subject was changed. There was enough to talk about
+without taking any unpleasant thing; and how those little tongues did
+go!
+
+It was a mild, lovely day in the early spring, uncommonly warm for
+the season,--just the day for an excursion. Modest crocuses, lovely
+hyacinths and gay tulips were in bloom; the willows were just clothing
+themselves in their first tender green, and every stream and spring
+rippled and sparkled and sang as if it were rejoicing in its new life
+and liberty.
+
+The park was fairly alive with children, who, like our little party,
+seemed determined to enjoy this bright, spring day to the utmost; but
+perhaps none were so gleeful and merry as our young friends.
+
+The windows of the omnibus were open, and the little girls had all
+scrambled upon their knees that they might the better see what was
+without; and many a grave countenance was won to smiles by the sight
+of the bright, joyous faces as they rolled past, and the merry peals
+of laughter which every now and then broke forth from the cumbrous
+vehicle. And they scattered not only smiles and bright looks wherever
+they went, but other good things also.
+
+Mabel Walton, who considered it almost impossible to enjoy oneself
+without a quantity of candies and sugar-plums on hand, had been
+furnished by her over-indulgent mother with a large supply of these
+delicacies; nor were most of the others without their share; so that
+Miss Ashton looked with some dismay upon the treasures which were
+displayed by one and another, fearing that her little flock might
+surfeit themselves with too many sweets before the day was over.
+
+However, her mind was soon relieved, at least in a measure. For Mabel
+having doled out a handful of sugar-plums to each of her companions,
+Bessie Bradford called out as the carriage rolled slowly up a hilly
+part of the road,--
+
+"Oh! see that little girl; what a nice face she has. But she looks so
+pale and sorry. I wish I had some pennies for her; but I will give her
+some of my sugar-plums. Perhaps she don't have many."
+
+Poor child! she looked as if she had not many loaves of bread, as
+she ran by the side of the omnibus, holding up her thin hand. A pale,
+sorrowful little face it was that looked up into those, so rosy and
+happy, above it; pinched, careworn, and old above its years, with
+that look so often seen in the faces of the children of the poor.
+Yet, in spite of her extreme poverty, she was not very ragged or very
+dirty; and as little Bessie had said, she had "a nice face," an open,
+straightforward look, a gentle expression, and a clear, honest eye.
+
+As she saw Bessie's hand outstretched, her face brightened, and as the
+little girl dropped two or three sugar-plums, she stooped hastily to
+pick them up; but when she raised her head again, the old weary look
+had come back, deepened now by disappointment.
+
+Just then the driver whipped up his horses and the omnibus rolled on
+faster, leaving the child looking sadly after it, and making no attempt
+to pick up the sugar-plums now thrown out freely by all the little
+girls.
+
+"Why! she looks as if she didn't like sugar-plums," said Belle.
+
+"Impossible!" said Maggie. "There never could be a person so wanting in
+sense as not to like sugar-plums."
+
+"Maybe that man who lived in a tub did not," said Lily. "Maggie, I was
+very much interested in that man when you wrote to me about him, and I
+meant to ask you a little more about him, but I did not think he could
+be a _wise_ man. What was his name?"
+
+"Mr. Diogenes," said Maggie; "and the reason they called the old
+cross-patch a wise man was because wise men were very scarce in those
+days. They only had seven in all that country; but when you are as far
+as I am in Parley's History you will learn all about them."
+
+"I wonder what did make that little girl look so sorry," said Bessie,
+unable to forget the look of disappointment so plainly visible on the
+child's face.
+
+"I think, darling," said Miss Ashton, "that she expected pennies when
+she saw you were about to throw something out, and so was not satisfied
+with the candies. There was something interesting and sweet in her
+face."
+
+"Here are some more poor children," said Bessie; "let's drop some
+sugar-plums to them and see if they care about them."
+
+There could be no doubt as to the approbation of these new recipients
+of the bounty of our little friends. At first it was difficult to tell
+whether the pleasure was most enjoyed by those within the omnibus
+who scattered with liberal hand, or by the outsiders who gathered
+the harvest; but as the enthusiasm of these last drew new claimants,
+and all waxed more and more clamorous, it soon became an annoyance,
+and Miss Ashton was obliged to put a stop to the shower, which had
+already received a check, as some of the younger children were becoming
+frightened.
+
+But Patrick and the driver were forced to threaten the obstreperous
+crowd, and even to call for the aid of a policeman before they could
+be scattered, so that this diversion did not end so agreeably.
+
+There was one thing gained, however, in Miss Ashton's opinion; and this
+was that the greater part of the sugar-plums had been disposed of,
+without hurt to her young charge.
+
+Not that she objected to sugar-plums altogether. Do not think, my
+little readers, that she was, as Maggie would have said, so "wanting in
+sense," as that; but she had been rather appalled by the sight of the
+numerous tempting looking parcels that were produced, to say nothing of
+Mabel's over-abundant supply.
+
+Our gay party made the round of the park, stopping for a while at any
+place of interest, and now and then alighting if they were so inclined.
+They hung for some time about the paddock where the deer are kept,
+putting their little hands through the palings and trying to tempt
+the pretty, gentle creatures to come nearer. But the deer were not to
+be persuaded and although they watched the children with their mild,
+soft eyes in a very amiable manner, they held aloof and would not
+condescend to a closer acquaintance.
+
+The swans were less timid, and, as the children flocked down to the
+border of the lake with their hands full of crackers and bread, came
+swimming up, arching their graceful necks, and looking eagerly for the
+bits with which they were speedily treated. It was enchanting to see
+them so friendly, and to have them feed from one's very hand.
+
+The old gray arsenal, with its collection of wild animals, was not to
+be visited until after they had taken their lunch. As they passed the
+Casino on their way up through the park, Patrick had been left there to
+make all ready for them; and now they drove back and alighted. Pleasant
+and mild though the day was, the ground was still too cold and the
+air too fresh to permit of lunching out of doors; and, although the
+children entreated that they might be permitted to do so, Miss Ashton
+was too wise to yield.
+
+The lunch was not quite ready when they reached the Casino, and the
+children were permitted to wander around and amuse themselves as they
+pleased for a few moments, provided they did not lose sight of the
+house, or go beyond call.
+
+Bessie, Lily, and Belle had strolled a short distance away together,
+and had disappeared from the view of Maggie, Nellie, and Dora, who
+stood at the head of a short flight of stone steps leading up to the
+Casino. They had but gone around the other side of the hedge, however,
+and could not be far off.
+
+Suddenly Lily and Belle came flying back with frightened faces, and
+rushed breathless and panting to where the other children stood.
+
+Then Belle turned, and exclaimed,--
+
+"Where's Bessie? Didn't Bessie come?"
+
+No Bessie was to be seen, certainly; and Maggie, noticing the startled
+faces of the other children, took alarm at once for her little sister,
+and started forward, crying,--
+
+"Where is she? What has happened? Where's my Bessie?"
+
+Before Belle or Lily could speak, Hattie darted from behind the hedge,
+laughing and mischievous; and, pointing her finger at the crimson faces
+of the two little ones, cried triumphantly,--
+
+"Oh! didn't I take you in? Didn't I give you a fright, though?"
+
+"What is it? Where's Bessie?" said Maggie again.
+
+Hattie sat down upon the lower step, and doubling herself over and
+rocking back and forth, said between paroxysms of laughter,--
+
+"Oh, dear! Bessie is round there talking to the old fellow. She's all
+right. Didn't I play you two geese a nice trick, though? How you did
+run! I didn't think you could be so taken in. Oh, what fun!"
+
+"What!" exclaimed Lily, indignation taking the place of her alarm,
+"were you tricking us? Didn't he try to take your hair? Hattie, Hattie!
+you mean, mean girl! And you told us a real wicked story, too. How dare
+you do it?" And Lily stamped her foot at Hattie, in a real passion at
+the trick which had been played upon her.
+
+The effect was different upon Belle. She was a sensitive little thing,
+easily overcome by any undue excitement; and, throwing herself upon
+Maggie, she burst into a violent fit of sobbing and crying.
+
+Miss Ashton and her friends heard and came to inquire into the trouble;
+and Hattie was now rather frightened herself as she saw the effect of
+her foolish deceit.
+
+Lily indignantly told the story, which amounted to this. It was a
+well-known fact, and had unfortunately come to the ears of our little
+girls, that some man had lately attacked several children, and suddenly
+severed the hair from their heads, making off as fast as possible after
+he had done so. He did this for the sake of the hair, which he probably
+sold; but he was, of course, a bad man and a thief, and the children
+all felt much dread of him.
+
+So when Hattie had come flying up to Bessie, Belle, and Lily, without
+any hat, and seemingly in a state of the wildest excitement, and
+had told them, with every appearance of truth and of being herself
+excessively frightened, that "that old man there" had snatched off her
+hat and tried to cut her hair, they had readily believed her--as an old
+man was really there--and had turned about and run away in great alarm.
+They had been terrified half out of their senses; and now here was
+Hattie confessing--yes, glorying, till Miss Ashton came--that she had
+"tricked" them, that she was "only in fun," it was all "a joke."
+
+But her triumph was speedily brought to an end, when Miss Ashton saw
+Belle's state, and heard how it had been brought about. She sternly
+reprimanded Hattie, and bade her go into the house, and remain there.
+
+But where was Bessie?
+
+The other children declared that "an old man was really there;" and, in
+spite of Hattie's confession that she had only been joking, Maggie's
+mind was filled with visions of her little sister's sunny curls in
+the hands of a ruffian; and away she flew in search of her, quite
+regardless of any supposed risk to her own wealth of dark, waving
+ringlets.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+III.
+
+_JESSIE AND HER GRANDFATHER._
+
+
+Where was Bessie?
+
+When Lily and Belle turned to run from the figure which Hattie pointed
+out as that of the man who attacked her, she started with them, quite
+as much alarmed as the other two; and, if they thought about it at all,
+they imagined she was close behind them. But she had gone only a few
+steps when she heard a voice, a weak voice, calling after herself and
+her companions, and saying,--
+
+"Don't be afraid, little girls; don't run away, little ladies. Couldn't
+ye stop a minute to help an old man?"
+
+Something in the tones touched the tender little heart of Bessie; and
+she checked her steps, ready to start again, however, on the shortest
+notice, and looked back at the old man.
+
+A very old man he seemed, and a very feeble old man, scarcely able, if
+he had the will, to run after active little girls, or to do them any
+harm. His hair was very white, and his face pinched and thin; but he
+looked kind and gentle, as Bessie saw, even from the distance at which
+she stood; and her fears died away as she looked at him.
+
+The old man sat upon a bank; and Bessie stood hesitating and watching
+him, trying to make up her mind to go and ask if he was in trouble. She
+saw that he had dropped his stick, which had rolled away, and lay on
+the ground just beyond his reach.
+
+"Would you do an old man a kindness, and give him his stick, little
+Miss?" he called to her, pointing at the same time to the cane. "Why
+did ye all run that way? I wouldn't hurt a hair of your heads, more
+than I would of my own Jessie's."
+
+This reference to the "hair on their heads" was rather unfortunate, for
+it startled Bessie again, and brought back the cause for alarm. Was the
+old man really in trouble, and unable to reach his stick? she thought,
+or was this only a trap to catch her, and deprive her of her curls?
+
+So she stood still, hesitating; and the old man, as if in despair of
+receiving any help from her, tried to raise himself a little, and
+stretched out his trembling hand towards the stick. But it was useless;
+it lay too far; he could not rise without its aid, and he sank back
+again, looking more helpless and feeble than before. This was too much
+for Bessie. She could not bear to see suffering and not try to relieve
+it; and it seemed to her that it would be cruel and wicked not to lend
+a helping hand to this poor old creature.
+
+"Please, dear Father in heaven, not to let him hurt me," she whispered
+softly to herself; and then walked slowly towards the old man, her
+little heart beating painfully, it must be confessed, in spite of her
+petition, and the trust that it would be heard.
+
+Keeping at as great a distance as it would allow, she stooped for the
+stick, and held it out at arm's length to the owner.
+
+"Now may He that blesses the cup of cold water given in His name reward
+you," said the old man, as he took it from the timid little hand; "but
+why are you frightened at me, dear, and why did the other little ones
+run as if they were scared half out of their lives? When you passed all
+in the big stage, laughing and so gay, it put a warmth into my heart
+that hasn't been there for many a day, and I b'lieve it was your own
+loving, little face that smiled back at me as I waved my hat to you
+for a blessing on your joy. Why, I wouldn't hurt a living thing; least
+of all, little girls that always mind me of my Jessie. Though it's
+different enough that you are from her, my poor lamb," he added in a
+lower tone, which Bessie could not have heard had she not now drawn
+nearer to him.
+
+For with the first words of the old man's speech, all fear had vanished
+from her mind. He had called down a blessing on her in a name which she
+knew and loved, and she could not be afraid of him longer. Besides,
+now that she looked at him more closely and with unprejudiced eyes,
+she recognized him, and remembered how, as he said, when the stage had
+passed him with its merry load, he had taken off his hat and feebly
+cheered and waved to them as they went by.
+
+"Don't you try to cut off little girls' hair?" she could not help
+asking, in spite of her new confidence.
+
+"I?" answered the old man surprised; "and why would I do that? Ah! I
+see. Did you take me for _that_ fellow? My little lady, they have him
+fast in jail, as he deserves; but how did you ever think I would do a
+thing like that?"
+
+"A little girl said you tried to cut hers," answered the child.
+
+"Then that little girl slandered an old man who had never harmed her,"
+he said gravely. "I understand; she's frightened you for her own fun,
+or whatever it may be. Well, I'm up now,"--he had slowly and painfully
+raised himself by the help of his cane,--"and I'd better be moving
+away, or the sight of me after that may spoil your pleasure. It was
+hard in her to turn you against one who would never have harmed you;
+but you're a sensible little lady, and a kind, and you'll never be the
+worse for doing a good turn to an old man."
+
+"Don't go away," said Bessie, "the other children won't be afraid of
+you when I tell them Hattie--was--was--mistaken." Bessie feared that
+Hattie's tale was more than a mistake, but she would not accuse her
+until she was sure. "They won't want you to go away, poor, lame man."
+
+"Jessie stays so long," he answered, looking about him helplessly. "She
+sat me here to rest a while, and I think she can't know how long she's
+been gone."
+
+Before Bessie could speak again, around the hedge came Maggie, who
+stopped short in amazement at seeing her sister standing talking
+sociably to the dreaded old man. And with her curls all safe!
+
+Maggie could hardly believe her own eyes. She went forward more slowly,
+till Bessie called to her,--
+
+"O Maggie, dear! this old man wouldn't hurt us, or cut our hair for any
+thing. He likes little girls, and it made him feel badly because we ran
+away from him, and he is going away now 'cause he thinks we don't like
+him. Come and tell him not to."
+
+Timid Maggie, feeling very doubtful, but determined to share her
+sister's risk, whatever that might be--she had almost forgotten that
+Hattie had confessed she only wanted to trick them all--drew still
+nearer, and taking Bessie's hand, gazed up at the old man with eyes
+in which pity and sympathy began to struggle with her former fear. He
+looked so poor and feeble and helpless, so little like doing harm to
+any one.
+
+And now came Dora and Gracie, who had followed Maggie in search of
+Bessie; and as the little group gathered about the old man, Bessie
+said,--
+
+"Where is your Jessie? Can we call her to you?"
+
+"I can't tell, little Miss," he answered. "I've been sitting here more
+than an hour, I take it. Jessie was so eager about her parrot that she
+has maybe forgotten how long she's been away. Ah! there she comes now."
+
+As he spoke, a child came running towards them, but seeing the group
+about her grandfather, paused in amazement at a short distance.
+
+It was the very same little girl to whom they had thrown sugar-plums
+but an hour since, and who had looked so disappointed. The children
+recognized her immediately.
+
+"Why! that's the little girl who was not pleased with our sugar-plums,"
+said Bessie. "Is that your Jessie?"
+
+The old man beckoned to her, and she came forward.
+
+"This is my Jessie, Miss," he answered, "and a good girl she is too. I
+don't know what her old grandfather would do without her. She's given
+up the dearest thing she had for me, bless her!"
+
+Jessie was now standing beside her grandfather, blushing and hanging
+her head at the notice thus drawn upon her.
+
+"What was that?" asked Dora.
+
+"Her parrot, Miss. A splendid parrot that her father, who's now dead
+and gone, brought her from beyond the seas. You'd think he was a human
+creature 'most, to hear him talk, and she loved him next to her old
+grandfather; but she parted with him for my sake."
+
+"Didn't you like him?" asked Bessie.
+
+"Yes, indeed, Miss. I was 'most as fond of the bird as she was herself;
+but it wasn't to be helped. You see I was sick so long, and the doctor
+bid me take a medicine that cost a deal of money, to drive the pain
+out of my bones; and how were we to get it when we'd not enough to buy
+bread from day to day, or to pay the rent that was due? So she sold
+her bird, for I can't do a hand's turn of work just yet."
+
+"That was good of her," said Gracie; "did she get all the money she
+wanted for him?"
+
+"More than we expected, Miss, for the man that keeps the house here,"
+pointing to the Casino, "gave her ten dollars for him. And he lets her
+see him every day, and says when the summer is over she may have him
+back for eight dollars if she can raise it. For Poll draws people to
+the refreshment place, you see, with his funny ways, and his wonderful
+talk, and the keeper thinks he'll get two dollars worth out of him
+before the summer is over. But, Jessie 'll never raise all that money,
+though I have put by my pride, and let her ask charity here of the
+folks in the Park."
+
+"And I don't feel that I ought to take it for that, either," said
+Jessie, as soon as the talkative old man paused for breath, and let her
+have a chance to speak, "'cause grandfather needs so many things, and
+the rent will be falling due before long again, so I must save up for
+straws and ribbon."
+
+"For what?" asked Bessie, while at the same moment Dora said,--
+
+"Why don't you find some work and earn money that way?"
+
+"For straws and ribbon, Miss," said Jessie, answering Bessie's question
+first; then turning to Dora, she added,--
+
+"I would work, Miss, and I do, when I have the things. I make little
+baskets and catchalls, and allumette holders of ribbon and straw and
+beads, and I sell them wherever I can; but the stock was all gone long
+ago, and I've no more to begin on."
+
+"But," said Dora, "if people give you money, why don't you take that to
+buy your materials?"
+
+Jessie shook her head sadly.
+
+"It has taken every cent that's been given to me to buy just bread
+enough for me and grandfather to eat, Miss," she said; "there was
+nothing to spare for any thing else, and any way it is an uncertain
+thing, the selling of the baskets, till the weather is pleasant and
+warm, and people like to stop. Now, you see, is the time for me to be
+making them ready; but there's no use in thinking about it, and as for
+Poll,"--
+
+Jessie's sigh and filling eyes told of the despair with which she
+thought of the recovery of her pet.
+
+"I have some money in my charity-box at home," said Maggie eagerly;
+"I'll give you some to buy straws and ribbon. I have no money with me,
+but Miss Ashton will lend me some for such a good purpose, I know, and
+I'll pay her as soon as we go home. I'll run and ask her."
+
+But there was no need, for there was Miss Ashton come in search of her
+stray lambs, and in two minutes she had heard the story.
+
+Heard it, but scarcely understood it, for that was difficult with one
+and another putting in a word, patching it out in various bits; to say
+nothing of the circumstance that our little girls themselves scarcely
+understood what they were talking about.
+
+Jessie and her grandfather--who had nothing to say now that the lady
+had come, and who stood close to one another, the old man holding
+his hat in his hand and leaning on his stick--were somewhat confused
+themselves by the chatter and flutter of the eager little talkers; and
+when Miss Ashton turned to the latter and began to inquire into his
+story, his usual flow of words seemed to have failed him.
+
+Miss Ashton spoke to Jessie.
+
+"Grandfather was just telling the little ladies about my Polly, ma'am,"
+she said modestly. "If they'd like to see him he's in the house there.
+And if you'd like to have him show off he'll talk better for me than
+for any one else, and I'll go and coax him."
+
+"Oh! can we go and see him?" said Bessie; and Jessie once more saying,
+yes, and that she would go with them, the little girls ran off, while
+Miss Ashton remained to hear the old man's story.
+
+It was a sad, but by no means an uncommon one. Jessie's mother had died
+when she was a baby. Her father, who was mate on a sailing-vessel, had
+been drowned at sea about two years ago. Until his death, his wages,
+together with what the old man made at stone-cutting, had supported
+them all in comfort. And even after that, the grandfather and the child
+had continued to keep along on what the former earned. Jessie, who was
+twelve years old, had been to school pretty steadily till a year ago,
+could "read and write and do up sums," and had also learned to sew.
+
+But about that time the grandfather had taken a heavy cold, from being
+thoroughly wet with rain while at his work; and, neglecting to change
+his clothes, it had settled in all his joints, and a long and painful
+rheumatic illness followed. All the last summer he had lain bound hand
+and foot, the pretty trifles which Jessie had learned to make the
+sole support of the two. But with the winter the sale of her little
+wares had fallen off, poverty and suffering had increased upon them,
+and they had gone from bad to worse, till, as he had told the little
+girls, Jessie had been forced to sell her beloved parrot to keep a
+roof above their heads, and to buy the medicine so much needed for her
+grandfather. They had some help from the church at which they attended,
+but that was little. And now that it was warmer weather, and Jessie
+could begin to sell her wares, she had no money to buy materials, and
+he had consented that she should ask charity of passers-by, and so gain
+a few shillings to begin her trade.
+
+They lived over there in a sad, tumble-down place, the old man said,
+"and he never thought to bring his Jessie to that; but the Lord had His
+own ways, and when He saw fit, He could take them out of this trouble."
+
+The story was told with a straightforward simplicity, and a natural
+pathos which went far to convince Miss Ashton that it must be true; but
+she took down the name and address of the clergyman of whom the old man
+spoke. This gentleman lived in one of the streets bordering on the
+Park, and Miss Ashton resolved to see him and hear his report before
+she left for home. If these poor people were really in such need,
+and deserving of help, she could not let them suffer longer than was
+necessary.
+
+She told old Malcolm--for that he said was his name--that he did not
+do well to rest upon the bank. The ground, she said, was not yet warm
+enough for his aching bones.
+
+But he answered that it was far better than the damp, cold shanty where
+he and Jessie had lived for the last two months, for here on a bright
+day he had the sunshine, and the fresh, clear air, and little of either
+of these ever found their way into the miserable cabin.
+
+Malcolm's language and manner, as well as those of his grand-daughter,
+showed that he had indeed been used to "better days;" and he seemed so
+patient and uncomplaining that Miss Ashton felt much interested in him,
+and anxious to do something for his relief.
+
+She bade him come farther on, and find a seat upon a pleasant, sunny
+bench, where she would furnish him and Jessie with some food; but when
+she said this, he told her some of the little ones of her party were
+afraid of him, and he did not wish to trouble them.
+
+He looked troubled himself when he said this; and Miss Ashton had to
+tell him that one of her young scholars had been so foolish and wrong
+as to tell a falsehood--she could call it nothing less--to frighten the
+others; but that they all knew the truth now, and would be afraid of
+him no longer.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+IV.
+
+_THE PARROT._
+
+
+Meanwhile the children were amusing themselves with the parrot. The
+whole flock had followed Jessie to make his acquaintance, Maggie having
+called the others to join them; and even the still sobbing Belle forgot
+her troubles in this new object of interest.
+
+The bird proved to be in a most amiable and sociable humor; and, to the
+great delight of his former little mistress, exhibited himself in a
+most gratifying manner.
+
+His cage was placed before a little stand just outside of a window
+opening upon the verandah; and when the children first saw him he was
+swinging head downwards from one of the bars, hanging by one claw, and
+appearing to take no notice of any thing until Jessie called to him.
+
+Then he put out the other claw, and swung himself upright; immediately
+commencing a kind of dance upon his perch, as if in an ecstacy, and
+calling out,--
+
+"Jessie! Jessie! pretty Jessie, good Jessie."
+
+"Good Polly," said Jessie, while the children gathered around in great
+delight. "How are you, Polly?"
+
+"Polly pretty well; Polly all right," answered the bird.
+
+The little girls were astonished, as indeed were the ladies who had
+accompanied them. Not one among the group but had often seen parrots
+who would repeat certain set phrases, but this bird actually answered
+questions, and as if he understood them too.
+
+"What does Polly want?" asked Jessie, delighted at the sensation her
+pet was producing.
+
+"Polly want a bit of sugar," answered the bird.
+
+Jessie put her hand into her pocket, and produced one of the
+sugar-plums the children had thrown to her, and held it up before the
+parrot's greedy eyes.
+
+"Dance a jig then, and sing a song, Polly," she said.
+
+Polly forthwith commenced a kind of seesaw on his perch, swaying his
+body back and forth, balancing himself first on one foot, then on
+the other, in a measured sort of way which he probably supposed to
+be dancing. At any rate, his audience were contented to accept it as
+such, and he met with continued applause, until suddenly bringing his
+gyrations to a close he screamed in a loud, discordant voice,--
+
+"Sugar!"
+
+"Sing then," said Jessie.
+
+In a sharp, cracked, but very distinct voice, and with some resemblance
+to a tune, the parrot began,--
+
+    "Mary had a little lamb,
+     Its fleece was white as snow,
+    And everywhere that"--
+
+Here he came to an abrupt close, eying the sugar-plum wistfully.
+
+"Sing it," said Jessie; and he began again.
+
+    "Mary had a little lamb,
+     Its fleece was white as snow,
+    And everywhere that Mary went,
+     The lamb--sugar--sugar--sugar,"
+
+screamed the creature, amid peals of laughter from the children,
+who now begged that he might have the coveted reward, which Jessie
+accordingly gave him.
+
+"He knows it all," she said; "but I can hardly ever make him sing it
+through."
+
+Poll took the sugar-plum gingerly in one claw, and sat nibbling at it
+till it was all gone, while the children crowded around him, admiring
+his gay, bright-colored feathers, and expressing their wonder at his
+accomplishments and sense.
+
+"Now you must show off some more," said Jessie, when the bird had
+disposed of his feast. "Polly, where is the naughty child?"
+
+To the intense delight of the children, Poll began to scream and cry
+exactly like a passionate child, after which he laughed and chuckled
+with satisfaction at his own performances, then crowed like a rooster,
+baa-ed like a nanny-goat, barked like a dog, and mewed like a cat.
+After all this he took up intelligent conversation again.
+
+"Polly's a pr-r-r-etty bird; Polly's a good bird; Polly's a wise bird,"
+he screamed, in all of which his little hearers entirely agreed.
+
+"Who do you love, Polly?" asked Jessie.
+
+"Polly love Jessie; Jessie a good girl," was the answer.
+
+"Where's your master, Polly?"
+
+"Bob Malcolm gone to sea. Good-bye, good-bye, good-bye," screamed the
+parrot.
+
+"Sing a song of"--began Jessie, and the parrot took up the strain.
+
+    "Sing a song of sixpence,
+     A pocket full of rye"--
+
+Here he came to a stop, nor could he be coaxed to finish the couplet,
+though Jessie assured the audience that he could, if he chose, sing the
+first four lines of the old song all through.
+
+However, he condescended to repeat some of his former performances. But
+it would take too long to tell all the feats of this remarkable bird;
+and you must not think that these I have related are quite impossible,
+for I have seen a parrot who could do all that is here described, and
+more too. The children were so interested and amused that they could
+scarcely be persuaded to leave him when Patrick announced that their
+lunch was ready; and Jessie, who was bidden by Miss Ashton to join her
+grandfather and share the meal provided for him, was begged to keep
+within call, so that they might return to the entertainment when they
+had finished their lunch.
+
+While this was going on, Miss Ashton told the story she had heard from
+old Malcolm, and said that she was so much interested in him and
+his grandchild, that she would go after lunch and see the clergyman,
+while the little girls amused themselves for a while under the care
+of the other ladies. She carried out this purpose, and went on her
+kind errand, followed by many a hope that she would find the story all
+correct.
+
+But when the children went back to the parrot they were disappointed,
+for he proved cross or tired or in a less sociable mood than he had
+been before, and he very rudely turned his back upon them, and would
+utter no words save,--
+
+"Hold your tongue! Hold your tongue!" every time any one spoke to him.
+So, finding this neither polite nor amusing, the company left him and
+scattered themselves in search of other entertainment.
+
+"How sober you look, Maggie; what are you thinking about?" asked Hattie
+Leroy, coming up to where Maggie Bradford stood leaning upon a stone
+railing.
+
+Maggie looked thoughtful, it may be, but hardly sober, for her
+thoughts seemed pleasant ones, to judge by the light in her eye, and
+the half smile upon her lip.
+
+"I have an idea," said Maggie, "and I think it's a nice one, at least
+if we are allowed to do it."
+
+"What is it?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Well," said Maggie, "I don't care to have it talked about very much
+till we know if we can do it; but I was thinking it would be so
+nice if we could have a little fair, just ourselves, you know, the
+school-children and Bessie and me. I know some children who had a fair
+in their own house, and they made money enough to pay for a bed in St.
+Luke's Hospital for a poor, lame child; and I thought perhaps we could
+make enough to buy back Jessie's parrot for her; and to make a more
+comfortable home for them. We could make things for the fair, and ask
+our friends to help us. Mamma would make some for us, I know, and so
+will Aunt Annie, and, I think, Aunt Bessie and Aunt May."
+
+"Where could we have it?" asked Hattie, who seemed much interested.
+
+"In one of our own houses," said Maggie, "or,--that was another thought
+I had,--perhaps Miss Ashton would be so very good as to let us have
+it at her house. The piazza would be lovely for it; and she generally
+lets us have some party-ish kind of a thing when school breaks up. Last
+year we had a giving of prizes; and at Christmas we had a Christmas
+festival, and a queen both times."
+
+"Yes," said Hattie, "and Gracie said it was shameful that you were
+queen both times. She thinks it was very selfish in you."
+
+Maggie colored violently.
+
+"The queen was chosen," she said, "and the girls chose me. I did not
+make myself queen."
+
+"Well, Gracie did not like it one bit," said Hattie, "and she thinks
+you had no right to be queen when you did not go to the school the last
+time."
+
+Maggie was silent, but the gladness was gone from her face.
+
+"Wouldn't it be too cold to have the fair on the piazza?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Not by the time we are ready," said Maggie. "You know it will take a
+good while to make enough things, and Miss Ashton does not close the
+school till the first of June. I heard her tell mamma so the other day.
+And by that time it will be quite warm and pleasant, and there will
+be plenty of flowers. I was thinking we could dress the piazza with
+wreaths and festoons and flags; and we could make some kind of a throne
+and canopy at one end. And there we could have the flower-table and the
+queen behind it, with some maids of honor to sell flowers."
+
+If Maggie imagined that Hattie would express any admiration or approval
+of her plan, she was mistaken. Hattie seemed interested, and asked a
+great many questions, as to how Maggie would arrange such and such
+matters, but she did not act as if she thought the "idea" very fine
+after all, and this was rather different from the way in which Maggie
+was accustomed to have her plans received. But she did not care for
+that; she was not a vain child, constantly seeking for admiration, and
+she was too full of her subject to pay much heed to Hattie's cool way
+of hearing this one.
+
+"I'm not going to say much about it till I see if mamma approves," she
+said. "Then I'll ask Miss Ashton and tell all the children about it.
+There are Bessie and Lily beckoning to me; let us go and see what they
+want."
+
+And away she ran, intending to tell her sister and Belle and Lily of
+her plan on the first convenient opportunity; but not willing, as she
+had said, to make it public till she learned if it could be carried
+out. She did not yet feel as if she knew Hattie very well, and she
+was rather astonished at herself for having talked so freely to her;
+but the truth was, that Hattie had come upon her rather unawares, and
+asked her what she was thinking of, at the moment when she was turning
+her "idea" over in her mind, and she had told her almost without
+reflection. Still she did not exactly regret having done so, and, after
+what she had said, never supposed that Hattie would mention what she
+had told her.
+
+Upright, honorable Maggie judged others by herself, and was entirely
+unsuspicious of evil.
+
+It would take too much space in this little book, and you would not
+care to have a particular description of all the various points of
+interest visited by our party throughout the day,--the Arsenal with
+its collection of wild beasts and monkeys; the great reservoir with
+its blue water, looking like a lake within walls, as indeed it is; the
+lovely Ramble through which they wandered for a long time, and many
+another pleasant spot. They are all familiar to many of you, and those
+to whom they are not, may make acquaintance with them some day.
+
+You may be sure that Miss Ashton did not leave old Malcolm and his
+grand-daughter without some remembrance of this day, for she was not
+only very sorry for them and felt that they were really in need of
+assistance, but she also knew that Jessie and her wonderful bird had
+added much to the entertainment of her little flock. She gave Jessie
+money enough to furnish herself with materials to begin her little
+trade again, and, leaving her address with her, bade her bring some of
+her pretty toys to her house when they should be made.
+
+They were all in the omnibus once more, and had started on their
+homeward way, all rather tired and quiet with the day's ramble, when
+what was Maggie's astonishment to hear Hattie say,--
+
+"Miss Ashton, Maggie and I have such a very nice plan. We thought we
+might have a fair, just us children, and ask our friends to help us;
+and then we could sell the things we made, or that were given to us,
+and so earn a good deal of money to help Jessie and her grandfather,
+and to buy back the parrot for her. And we might have it when the
+weather is warm and pleasant, just before school closes, so that we
+could have it out of doors; and perhaps, Miss Ashton, you would not
+mind letting us hold it on your piazza and in the garden. And Jessie
+might make some of her pretty baskets and things for it, and we could
+sell them for her. We thought we could raise a good deal of money that
+way, for almost all our friends would be glad to come."
+
+It would be hard to tell whether indignation or surprise was uppermost
+in Maggie's mind, as she sat utterly speechless and confounded, while
+Hattie ran on thus, disclosing in this public manner the plans which
+she had said were to be kept secret until her own mamma and Miss Ashton
+had heard and approved of them.
+
+Yes, here was Hattie not only doing this, but speaking as if she had
+been the inventor of the cherished "idea," and as if Maggie had only
+fallen in with it, perhaps helped it out a little.
+
+Maggie was too shy to speak out as many children would have done, and
+to say,--
+
+"That was my plan, Miss Ashton. I was the first one to think of that;"
+and she sat with her color changing, and her eyes fixed wonderingly and
+reproachfully on Hattie as she spoke, feeling somehow as if she had
+been wronged, and yet not exactly seeing the way to right herself.
+
+"Oh! that would be delightful," said Gracie. "Miss Ashton, do you think
+you could let us do it?"
+
+"Well, I might," said Miss Ashton. "That is not a bad idea, Hattie. I
+will talk to my mother about it and see what she thinks, and you may
+all tell your friends at home, and learn if they approve."
+
+"If we could have the fair on your piazza," continued Hattie eagerly,
+"we could dress it up very prettily with wreaths and flowers, and we
+could make a kind of a bower at one end, and choose one of the girls
+for a queen, and let it be her throne-room, and there we could have the
+flower-table. Some of the children told me you always let them have a
+festival before vacation, Miss Ashton; and we might put it off till a
+little later, so that it would be warm and pleasant, and we should have
+plenty of flowers."
+
+There was not one of the children who did not raise her voice in favor
+of the new plan except Nellie Ransom, who sat opposite to Maggie, and
+who watched her changing face, and looked from her to Hattie with
+inquiring and rather suspicious looks.
+
+Lily clapped her hands, and almost sprang from her seat.
+
+"I'll begin to work for the fair this very evening!" she said. "No
+more of your putting off for me. I'll bring down mamma's ribbon-box
+and worsted-box, if she'll let me, and ask her what I can have, and
+to-morrow I'll ask her to let me make something."
+
+"And we'll ask mamma and Aunt Annie, won't we, Maggie?" said Bessie;
+"and Belle, we'll ask them for some things for you too."
+
+Bessie received no answer from Maggie, who, feeling as if the whole
+matter had been taken out of her hands, poor child, and as if she had
+been robbed of her property, dared not speak, lest she should burst
+into tears.
+
+"I have a whole lot of money saved up," said Lily, "and I'll take some
+of it to buy what I want to make pretty things, and keep the rest to
+spend at the fair."
+
+"Haven't you to pay your missionary money to our box yet?" asked Bessie.
+
+"Well, I haven't paid it yet," said Lily, "but I don't know if I will
+give a dollar this year. I've supported the heathen for two years now,
+and I think I'd like a little change of charity. Wouldn't you, Maggie?"
+
+Maggie only nodded assent, scarce knowing what question she was
+replying to.
+
+"Maggie," said Belle, "you don't seem very interested; why don't you
+talk about the fair and give us new ideas, as you 'most always do?"
+
+"Does something provoke you or trouble you, Maggie, dear?" asked
+Bessie, looking into her sister's perplexed face.
+
+"Hattie," said Nellie suddenly, fixing her eyes searchingly on the
+little girl she addressed, "what put that idea of the fair into your
+head?"
+
+"Oh!" answered Hattie in some confusion, "I--that is, we, Maggie and I,
+just thought it would be nice, and so we talked about it a little, and
+made up our minds to ask Miss Ashton about it."
+
+Quick-witted Lily caught Nellie's suspicion, and so did Bessie; and the
+former, who had worn an air of displeasure with Hattie ever since the
+affair of the morning, asked promptly,--
+
+"Who was the _first_ to make up that idea,--the fair and the queen in
+the flower bower, and dressing the piazza and all? Who was it, I say?"
+
+"Well," answered Hattie reluctantly, "Maggie was the first to think
+about it, and we talked it over together and arranged it all."
+
+"I knew it!" cried Lily triumphantly; "I just knew it was Maggie. It
+sounds just like her making up. Hattie," she added reproachfully, "you
+tried to make us think it was yours."
+
+"I didn't," said Hattie. "I never said so."
+
+"You didn't just _say_ so," said Bessie solemnly, "but you tried to
+give that _depression_."
+
+"I didn't," pouted Hattie again; "and we did talk about it together,
+didn't we, Maggie?"
+
+Maggie only gave a faint smile by way of answer, for she felt that she
+could not honestly allow that Hattie had suggested one single idea; and
+still she was too generous to wish to blame her more than she could
+avoid.
+
+And for the second time that day was Hattie made to feel that her
+want of strict truthfulness had lowered her in the eyes of her young
+companions.
+
+"Umph!" said Lily severely; "appears to me, Miss Hattie"--
+
+But she was not allowed to finish the intended reproach, for Miss
+Ashton, seeing symptoms of a quarrel, hastened to avert it, and gently
+bade Lily be quiet.
+
+Lily obeyed; but her eye still rested sternly upon Hattie, and the
+latter was forced to bear more than one disapproving gaze during the
+remainder of the drive home.
+
+"I am afraid," said Miss Ashton to her mother that evening, "that
+Hattie Leroy is by no means a truthful child;" and she told of the
+occurrences of the day, adding that it was not the first time she had
+noticed a want of openness and uprightness, little acted deceits, a
+keeping back of the whole truth, and even, now and then a deliberate
+falsehood; and more than all, a manner of repeating a thing which gave
+it a very different meaning from what the speaker intended, so often
+making mischief and discomfort.
+
+"That is bad, very bad," said Mrs. Ashton; "it may affect the other
+children."
+
+"I would rather hope that they may have a good influence on her,"
+answered her daughter. "The standard of truth is so high in our school,
+thanks, I believe, to dear little Bessie Bradford, Maggie, Belle,
+and one or two others, that any departure from it is considered a
+very serious offence. Lily, with all her thoughtlessness and love of
+mischief, is strictly truthful; so are Dora and Nellie. Gracie is the
+only one for whom I fear, for, although I think she would be shocked at
+the idea of telling a deliberate untruth, her conceit and wish to be
+first are so great that they often lead her to exaggerate and give a
+false coloring to what she says of herself as compared with others."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+V.
+
+_GRANDMAMMA HOWARD._
+
+
+The proposal for the fair met with a pretty general approval from
+the parents and friends of the little girls, and they received many
+promises of help.
+
+"Aunt Annie" undertook to show Maggie, Bessie, and Belle how to make
+any pretty articles they might wish to undertake. Lily's mamma did
+the same for her, and none of the children were left entirely without
+assistance.
+
+When Jessie came to Miss Ashton with her pretty little wares, she
+was told what was proposed, and bidden to have as large a supply
+as possible, so that they might be offered for sale with the other
+articles; and the lady and some of her friends kindly bought so many
+of those already on hand that Jessie was furnished with the means of
+procuring her materials at once.
+
+The older class in Mrs. Ashton's room also entered with spirit into
+the affair, promising all the assistance that they could give, so that
+there was good prospect it would be a success. The time fixed was the
+first day of June, if the weather should be pleasant; if not, the first
+fair day after that.
+
+One morning Gracie Howard came to school in a state of great excitement.
+
+"My grandmamma," she said to the other children, "takes the greatest
+interest in our fair, and she is going to give us ever so many things
+for it. She told me to invite you all to come to her house this
+afternoon, and she has a whole lot of pieces of silk and ribbons, and
+worsteds and beads, and ever so many lovely things to divide among us.
+And what is better still, she says she would like each child to make
+some article expressly for her, and she will buy it."
+
+"Oh, delightful!" "How kind! how nice!" "What a great help!" came from
+one and another of her little hearers.
+
+"And," continued Gracie, warming with her subject, "she wants some
+particular things. Two toilet sets of lace and muslin, one lined and
+trimmed with blue, the other with pink; and two mats for flower vases,
+to be exactly alike. I am going to do one of the mats, and grandmamma
+says she thinks the other one and both the toilet sets had better be
+made by some of us older children, because she thinks the little ones
+can scarcely do them. And she will give ten dollars for the mat that is
+worked the most nicely and evenly, and nine for the other; eight for
+the best toilet set, and seven for the second; and she will give us all
+the materials. Just think of that! Why, whoever has the best mat will
+earn more than the price of Jessie's parrot! I wanted grandmamma to say
+that one might have the buying of the parrot for her own part; but she
+said that would not be just to the rest who had a share in the fair;
+and that she had no right to say so, either. I don't see why, and I
+think she might have let me."
+
+"Why, you don't know that you will have the nicest mat," said Lily.
+
+"See if I don't then," said Gracie. "I can work much better than any of
+you, I know."
+
+"If I didn't live in such a very glass house myself, I'd say
+_petticoat_ to you," said Lily, who had lately shown a fancy for the
+use of proverbs, after the manner of Maggie Bradford.
+
+Gracie tossed her head, and put on the expression which children call,
+"turning up their noses."
+
+She knew very well what Lily meant, how not long since she had boasted
+of herself, and been so very sure that she would outdo all others, and
+how she had miserably failed in the end.
+
+But, in spite of this consciousness, she was not at all taken down
+by Lily's reminder, for she felt herself a person of more than usual
+consideration and importance that morning; not without more than
+ordinary reason, was thought by most of her companions, for it was
+really a fine thing to have such a munificent grandmamma, who was ready
+to do so much for the grand object at present in the minds of each and
+every one.
+
+It was true also, and well known in the school that Gracie did worsted
+work remarkably well and evenly for a little girl, and that there was
+more reason than common for her belief that she should outshine all
+the others. Still her constant boasting was never agreeable, and Lily
+always would set herself to combat it with all her might.
+
+"Are not Maggie and Bessie to try with us too?" she asked.
+
+"Of course," answered Gracie; "they are just as much in the fair as we
+are; and Maggie works so nicely."
+
+"Should think she did," said Lily; "better than
+_a-ny--child--in--the--whole--world_."
+
+The extreme deliberation with which this was said, made it very
+forcible, and gave the remark all the point which was intended. Woe to
+the person who, in Lily's hearing, ventured to deny that her particular
+friends, Maggie and Bessie Bradford, were not all that was wisest,
+best, and prettiest.
+
+"Besides," said Belle, "Bessie was the first to find out Jessie and
+her grandfather, so it seems as if it was very much her charity and
+Maggie's. Good-morning, dear Miss Ashton;" and little Belle flew to
+meet her teacher, whom she dearly loved, and began to tell her of this
+new and delightful arrangement.
+
+But she had hardly commenced when she checked herself, and saying,--
+
+"But it is Gracie's to tell about, and I expect she would like to,"
+turned to her schoolmate, and allowed her, nothing loath, to take up
+the tale.
+
+Miss Ashton approved, and readily consented to what was proposed; but
+she was sorry to see that, as usual, Gracie took the chief credit,
+and claimed the first place for herself in the new plan; seeming, as
+before, not to have the slightest doubt that her work would be the
+best, and bring the highest premium. However, she would say nothing now
+to damp the general pleasure and enthusiasm, but called her young flock
+to the business of the day without reproof or remonstrance.
+
+On the way home from school, Gracie called to invite Maggie and Bessie
+to her grandmamma's house that afternoon; and at the appointed hour
+the whole "committee," as Maggie called it, were assembled in the
+drawing-room of the kind old lady.
+
+"Now," said Mrs. Howard, "we will settle first who among you are to
+take these pieces of work. Gracie seemed to think that all who were
+able to work nicely would prefer worsted work, so I have here two pairs
+of mats, as well as the toilet sets; and you may decide for yourselves
+which you will take. As for the younger ones, I will leave it to them
+to choose the things they will make for me, as each one knows what she
+is best able to do."
+
+Gracie looked dismayed and displeased at the first part of her
+grandmother's speech; and, not daring to object aloud, she whispered to
+Hattie, who stood next her,--
+
+"It's too bad! There grandmamma goes and gives three chances against
+me."
+
+"Never mind, you'll have the first," answered Hattie; "you know you
+work better than any of the others."
+
+"How many of you," continued the old lady, "are able to do worsted work
+nicely?"
+
+"I can, grandmamma, _very_ nicely," said Gracie promptly, while the
+others, more modest and shy, looked from one to another.
+
+"Maggie Bradford works very nicely, ma'am," said Nellie Ransom.
+
+"And so do you too, my dear, if I'm not mistaken," said Mrs. Howard.
+"Would you like to do one of the mats?"
+
+"If you please, ma'am," said Nellie, and stepping up, Mrs. Howard gave
+her her choice among the mats.
+
+"Ah! you have made the same choice as Gracie," said the old lady.
+"Well, we shall see who will do the best. Gracie, take the mat, my
+dear. Now for the other pair. Maggie, will you have one?"
+
+But Maggie held back a little; and at length, with many blushes said,
+that she would prefer to take one of the toilet sets, because Bessie
+was anxious to help her, and she could do some of the easy sewing on
+the ruffles, but she could not do worsted work evenly enough to go with
+her own.
+
+Dora took one of the second pair of mats; and Hattie, who was next
+in age, and who knew very little about embroidering, chose the other
+toilet set, as she believed she could do that better than the mat.
+
+Maggie looked wishfully at this, and Mrs. Howard saw the look.
+
+"Would you like to take this also, Maggie, dear?" she said. "You
+deserve some reward for being so unselfish, and if it is not too much
+for you to undertake, you are quite welcome to try it."
+
+"Oh no, ma'am!" said Maggie with brightening eyes; "we have nearly
+seven weeks, you know, and with Bessie's help, and Aunt Annie to
+arrange all the work for me, I think I could do both. But I don't care
+for a reward, Mrs. Howard, for you know if Jessie and her grandfather
+have the money, it does not make much difference who does the most."
+
+"No, truly," said Mrs. Howard; "and it is not that you may strive to
+outdo one another that I make these offers, but only that you may all
+try your best to have the work well done. I am an old-fashioned woman,
+my dears, and I like to see every little girl brought up to use her
+needle properly, and to keep her things in order; so I say that it is
+not so much the beauty of the work, as the care and neatness with which
+it is done that I shall look at. Keep it from spot or stain, or from
+being frayed or rubbed; this you can all do with proper care."
+
+Then Mrs. Howard repeated how much she would give for each article,
+promising also once more to buy some pretty trifle from each of the
+younger children; and they all felt as if a large sum was already
+secure for Jessie and her grandfather.
+
+After this, the treasures of lace, muslin, ribbons, flowers, beads,
+and worsteds of all colors were displayed to their delighted eyes,
+and divided with as much fairness as was possible. Not a child but
+carried home with her a most precious package, already in the eyes of
+the little ones transformed into many an article of use and beauty for
+the benefit of old Malcolm and his grandchild. The fair was now the
+all-absorbing subject of thought and conversation among Miss Ashton's
+young scholars and their little friends, Maggie and Bessie Bradford;
+and a fit of uncommon industry had seized upon each and every one.
+
+But, one morning, only two days after the meeting of the young people
+at her house, Mrs. Howard was surprised to hear that Maggie Bradford
+wanted to see her; and ordering her to be shown in, the little girl
+entered, followed by her sister and nurse.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Maggie looked flushed and uncomfortable, and held a small parcel in
+her hand; but, after she had said good-morning to Mrs. Howard a fit of
+shyness came over her, and she could not tell her errand.
+
+So Bessie spoke for her.
+
+"Mrs. Howard," said the little girl, who was herself rather confused,
+but who felt bound to help Maggie out of her trouble, "Maggie has come
+to bring you back the mat. She thinks it is rather better for her not
+to do it."
+
+"Did you find you had undertaken too much, Maggie, my dear?" asked the
+old lady encouragingly.
+
+"N-n-no, ma'am," whispered Maggie, plucking up a few crumbs of courage
+as she heard the kind tone, "no, it was not that; but we thought I'd
+better bring it back to you."
+
+"But you must have some reason," said Mrs. Howard. "Can you not tell me
+what it is? Has Gracie been saying any thing unkind to you?"
+
+"Gracie has not said any thing to me about it, ma'am," said Maggie
+rather evasively.
+
+"Please don't ask us, Mrs. Howard," said Bessie gravely. "Maggie and I
+overturned our minds about it, and thought we'd better bring back the
+mat; but we do not want to tell tales."
+
+"Then I shall not ask," said Mrs. Howard; but from the very fact that
+Bessie had innocently begged that they might not be pressed to "tell
+tales," she felt that her suspicions were tolerably correct. Gracie's
+desire to be _first_, and the fear that others should excel, or even
+equal her, were becoming so great that they often blinded her to what
+was just and kind.
+
+"There are plenty of pretty things that we can make, Mrs. Howard," said
+Maggie, "and I would rather not do any thing that any one might think
+was not my share."
+
+"Very well, dear, as you please," answered the old lady; "but since you
+do not choose to make this I shall not give it to any one else."
+
+When Maggie and Bessie had gone, the old lady put on her bonnet
+and went around to her son's house, where she found her little
+grand-daughter at home.
+
+"Gracie," she said, after a little talk, "Maggie Bradford came to see
+me just now, bringing back the mat which she was to have worked for the
+fair. Do you know any reason why she should have done so?"
+
+"Why, no, grandmamma!" answered Gracie, turning her eyes upon her
+grandmother in unfeigned and unmistakable surprise, which left no doubt
+of the perfect truth of her answer.
+
+"Think," said the old lady, believing that she might have forgotten.
+"You know you were not pleased that I should give Maggie the two things
+to make for me; have you said any thing that could hurt her feelings,
+and show her that you were displeased?"
+
+"I never said one word to Maggie about the mat, grandmamma," said
+Gracie, "and I can't see how"--she paused, as if struck by some sudden
+thought, and coloring, added uneasily--"I did talk to Hattie about it,
+and I was rather provoked, because I did not see why Maggie should
+have a better chance than the rest to make so much for the fair.
+And--and--perhaps Hattie went and told Maggie; but it was real mean of
+her if she did; and besides there was nothing for Maggie to be so mad
+at, and make such a fuss about."
+
+"Maggie was not 'mad,' as you call it, Gracie; so far from it that she
+would say nothing to throw blame upon you or any one else," said her
+grandmother; "but it was plain that she had been vexed and hurt."
+
+"Gracie," said her mother who sat by, "it would be a sad thing if _you_
+should show yourself so wanting in feeling and gratitude as to say
+unkind things of Maggie, or to injure her in any way, especially in
+such a matter as this."
+
+"Well, mamma, and I'm sure I wouldn't," said Gracie, with a little
+pout. "I am very fond of Maggie, and I wouldn't do a thing to her; but
+I did feel rather provoked about the mat, only I did not mean her to
+know it. I'm just going to ask Hattie if she told her what I said."
+
+Gracie was really uncomfortable. She remembered that she had in a
+moment of pettishness, made one or two remarks to Hattie which she
+would not have cared to make in Maggie's hearing; but she would not
+willingly have offended the latter. She knew very well to what her
+mother referred when she spoke of Maggie. How a year ago when a
+prize had been offered for composition by Miss Ashton's uncle, she
+and Maggie had been believed to stand far ahead of the rest; how her
+own composition, all ready for presentation, had been lost, and that
+through her own inordinate vanity; how Maggie and Bessie had found it,
+and like the honorable little girls they were, had brought it at once
+to her, although they believed that by so doing Maggie was deprived of
+all chance of the much wished-for prize. It was true that neither she
+nor Maggie had gained it, for it had fallen to Nellie Ransom; but that
+did not lessen, or should not have lessened, Gracie's gratitude to her
+little friend; and as her mother said, it ill became her to nurse any
+feeling of jealousy towards Maggie.
+
+"Gracie," said her mother, "can you remember exactly what you said
+about Maggie?"
+
+"No, mamma," answered the child, looking thoughtful and a little
+troubled; "but it was not much, I think."
+
+"I am afraid," said Mrs. Howard, "that a very little sometimes becomes
+much in Hattie's keeping. I do not know that she really wishes to make
+mischief, but her love of talking and her want of strict truthfulness
+lead her to exaggerate, and also, I fear, to repeat many a thing with a
+very different meaning from that which the speaker intended. The more
+I see of her, the plainer does this become to me; and I fear, Gracie,
+that she is not a safe friend for you."
+
+"Mamma," said Gracie, in a tone of some offence, "you'd never think
+that Hattie could make _me_ learn to tell stories, do you? Why, I never
+told a falsehood in my life, and I'm sure I'd never think of doing such
+a thing."
+
+"I am sure I hope not, my child," said her mother, "but I fear
+temptation for you, Gracie; and I think Hattie encourages you in your
+great fault, your self-conceit and desire for admiration. And, although
+I do not think that you ever mean to be untruthful, my daughter, your
+idea of your own merits often leads you into exaggeration of these, and
+makes you unwilling to see them in others."
+
+Gracie pouted, and put on the expression she always wore if she were
+found fault with.
+
+"Mamma," she said, "I think that is a very horrid character to give any
+one; and I am sure you need not think I ever could tell a falsehood or
+do any thing mean to any one."
+
+"I do not say you would, Gracie. I only want you to beware of
+temptation."
+
+"I shan't fall into temptation, no fear of that," said Gracie almost
+scornfully; not scorn of her mother, but of the idea that she was not
+quite able to take care of herself, and that she could be led into
+wrong-doing.
+
+"And I shall be obliged to say," continued Mrs. Howard, "that I do not
+think it best for you to be so much with Hattie. She is doing you no
+good. I cannot keep you apart altogether, but you must not ask me to
+let you have her here so often, nor can I allow you to go to her house
+as much as you have done. When I see you have a more gentle and humble
+spirit, Gracie, and learning to stand by another strength than your
+own, I may not so much fear evil companionship for you; but this very
+belief that you cannot fall makes you all the more ready to do so."
+
+Gracie flounced out of the room in high displeasure, muttering to
+herself as she went upstairs that her mother always thought "every one
+better than me," and "it was very unjust," and "just as if I could fall
+into the temptation of telling a story."
+
+Mrs. Howard sighed, and looked troubled, as she well might; and so did
+grandmamma, as they talked together on this subject, and considered
+what was best to be done with Gracie. Her overwhelming desire for
+admiration; her wish to be first in every thing; her self-conceit and
+impatience of reproof were day by day growing stronger and stronger,
+and overrunning all that was fair and lovely in her character. It was,
+as the mother had said, difficult to break off all intercourse between
+her and Hattie, although it was certain that the latter was exercising
+no good influence on Gracie; for the two families were intimate, and
+it was impossible, without giving offence, to keep the two children
+entirely apart. Moreover, they were schoolmates, and had grown really
+fond of one another, although Gracie was losing confidence in Hattie,
+as she could not but perceive that she had by no means a strict regard
+for truth.
+
+But little did Gracie dream that Hattie's influence or example could
+ever lead her astray in this way.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+VI.
+
+_JEALOUSY._
+
+
+Days went by, and all was progressing famously for the fair; at least
+so thought the little workers. New offers of help came in; new articles
+were promised, and some even sent, early as it was, and these were
+committed to Miss Ashton's keeping until the appointed day--the first
+of June--should arrive. Mrs. Bradford promised all the ice-cream
+that should be needed for the refreshment table; Mrs. Howard the
+strawberries; another mamma offered jelly; two or three cake; Mr.
+Powers promised a quantity of French bonbons; and from all sides came
+offers of flowers. Mr. Stanton, the little Bradfords' "Uncle Ruthven,"
+said he would furnish flags and banners enough to deck the piazza; and
+mammas, grandmammas, aunts, and cousins were coaxed and wheedled out
+of so many bright ribbons for the same purpose, that it might have
+been supposed that they were expected to go in grave colors for the
+remainder of their days.
+
+And if you had seen the doll that Miss Annie Stanton and her
+sister-in-law were dressing as a baby!
+
+If you had but seen that doll!
+
+With a face so sweet, and so like a "real live baby" that it almost
+startled one to come upon it unawares in some place where the real
+live baby could not have been found! such hands and feet! and oh, such
+a fitting out! Day by day the progress of that doll's wardrobe was
+watched with eager, delighted eyes by Maggie, Bessie, Belle, and Lily,
+who had more opportunities for this than the rest of the children.
+These last were, however, invited in every now and then, to see the
+wonder as it grew; and that doll became the great object of interest,
+in comparison with which the remainder of the fair arrangements were
+as nothing. Every thing that was dainty and pretty and cunning was
+furnished for the baby doll; not only clothes without number, but also
+a tasteful cradle lined and trimmed with blue silk, white muslin, and
+lace; and a baby basket, furnished completely with all that the most
+exacting infant could require. In short, this was plainly to be the
+grand attraction of the fair, at least in the eyes of the younger
+portion of its patrons, for the fame of the doll spread far and wide,
+and great was the curiosity of those who had never had the opportunity
+of witnessing its beauties.
+
+And the question arose and was eagerly discussed, who was to be the
+munificent purchaser? who, oh! who, the fortunate possessor? Papas and
+mammas were besieged with petitions and coaxings, but wisely declined
+making positive promises till the price of the wonderful prize should
+be fixed, and the doll herself put up for sale. Money-jugs were broken,
+and "savings banks" emptied, that the contents might be counted over
+and over to ascertain if there was any possibility that they might
+reach the sum which would probably be required; allowances were saved
+up in the same hope.
+
+The only trouble about it was, that as Maggie Bradford said, "only one
+could have the doll, and so all the rest were doomed to disappointment,
+which made it a case in which it would be well if one man's meat were
+every other man's poison."
+
+Jessie and her grandfather were cared for in the meanwhile. Miss Ashton
+had interested several of her friends in them; the children had done
+the same with their parents; and Mr. Bradford, Mr. Norris, and one or
+two other gentlemen had been to see old Malcolm, and finding that there
+was little or no probability of his cure while he remained in the cold,
+damp shanty, where he had been living for the last few months, had
+furnished him with more comfortable lodging.
+
+Jessie's wares were also finding a good market, and every week she
+came down into the city with a number. Some of these she sold to such
+purchasers as came in her way, and whatever were left over she carried
+to Miss Ashton, and put in her hands for the fair.
+
+She was also making some particularly choice articles which she kept
+back for exhibition and sale on that occasion; and among them were half
+a dozen boxes of straw and bright-colored ribbons, with an initial
+letter woven in beads upon the top of each. There had been but four of
+them at first, bearing respectively an M, a B, a G, and a D, standing
+for Maggie, Bessie, Gracie, and Dora; for Jessie looked upon these as
+her first friends, because they had first become interested in her
+story. But Bessie having mentioned that Belle and Lily were "just
+like ourselves, and my sister and I would be pleased to buy boxes for
+them at the fair," Jessie completed two more with an L for Lily, and
+a B for Belle. There was a delightful amount of mystery respecting
+these boxes, for each one of the six knew what had been done for the
+other five; Jessie telling her in confidence, and leaving her with
+the suspicion that the same pleasure was in store for her. Not on any
+account would any one of them have spoken of this suspicion; oh dear,
+no! but was quite prepared to be very much surprised if a box bearing
+her initial should turn up at the fair.
+
+Maggie and Bessie owned a pretty little pony, the gift of their Uncle
+Ruthven; at least Fred said it was "Uncle Ruthven's present," but Mr.
+Stanton said it was Fred's. For, having offered Fred the choice of a
+present for himself as a reward for the pains he had taken to break
+himself of some troublesome faults, the generous brother asked for a
+pony for his little sisters. He and his brother Harry each owned one,
+and he wished Maggie and Bessie to enjoy the same pleasure. So Uncle
+Ruthven had bought the pony and equipped him, but he declared it was
+Fred's gift to the little girls, and I think he was about right.
+
+However that was, the pony had given no small amount of pleasure, and
+this was still farther increased when Belle's papa gave her one.
+
+It was a pretty sight to see two of the little girls on these ponies,
+escorted by Harry and Fred, and the whole party under the care of
+one of the papas, or Uncle Ruthven, or sometimes of old James, the
+coachman. Belle and Bessie rode as yet with a leading string to the
+pony's rein, but Maggie had grown to be a fearless little rider, and
+had no idea of being led. Lily would have been welcome to a ride now
+and then if she had chosen, but "the one thing in the world" which Lily
+feared was a horse, and she declined the most pressing offers of this
+nature.
+
+Now that the days were becoming so mild and pleasant, these rides took
+place quite frequently, and they were hardly looked forward to more
+eagerly by the children than they were by old Malcolm and Jessie, who
+delighted to see the little girls on horseback, and were always on the
+watch to meet them and receive a kind word.
+
+"I know who I think will have the best piece of work," said Lily,
+one day after school, when the little girls were discussing the
+arrangements for the fair as they prepared to go home.
+
+"Who?" asked Gracie quickly. "Maggie, I s'pose. You always think Maggie
+and Bessie do every thing better than anybody else."
+
+"Well, and so they do," answered Lily, unwilling to allow that her
+favorite playmates could be outdone in any thing by another,--"so they
+do; but it's not Maggie this time."
+
+"Who then?" asked Dora.
+
+"Nellie Ransom," said Lily. "Have you seen her mat?"
+
+No: none of the others had seen Nellie's mat; but now curiosity was all
+on tiptoe, and a general desire to see her work took possession of the
+class.
+
+"Bring all your works to-morrow, and let's see which is the best," said
+Lily.
+
+"Gracie's is, I know," said Hattie.
+
+"If you have not seen the others you _don't_ know," said Lily.
+
+Hattie whispered something to Gracie and laughed; but Gracie still wore
+the displeased look she had put on when Lily declared Nellie's work
+must be the best.
+
+For, during the whole of the last year, Gracie had been nourishing an
+intense and bitter jealousy of Nellie Ransom. As has been said before,
+Nellie was by no means as quick and brilliant a child as Gracie, but
+she was more persevering and industrious, and so made up for the lack
+of natural talent. She was the only child in the school who could keep
+up with Gracie in several studies, such as composition and arithmetic;
+and in all they learned these two generally stood in advance of the
+rest.
+
+And to outstrip Nellie, to be always the _first_, the _very first_ was
+Gracie's great ambition. She believed herself to be by far the wiser
+and cleverer of the two, but she was anxious that every one else
+should acknowledge it also.
+
+A year ago, when Miss Ashton's uncle had offered a prize for the best
+composition,--the occasion to which Mrs. Howard had referred when
+warning her little daughter against jealousy of Maggie Bradford,--the
+chances had seemed to lie between Maggie and herself; but to the
+astonishment of every one, Nellie's composition had proved the most
+deserving, and taken the much-coveted prize.
+
+Since that time Gracie's wish to excel Nellie in all things had known
+no bounds, and it is really to be feared that she was rejoiced at heart
+when her painstaking and industrious little schoolmate missed in her
+lessons, or failed in any work she undertook.
+
+So now the fear that Nellie's mat should prove to be more neatly worked
+than her own took complete possession of her, for it was not only the
+desire to be first, but the desire to outstrip Nellie especially, that
+filled her heart and made her envious and jealous.
+
+It was agreed that Nellie, Gracie, and Dora should each bring her mat
+to school the next morning, so as to compare their work and see which
+was likely to bring the highest price.
+
+Accordingly this was done, and the children all gathered early, anxious
+to decide on the respective merits of the three pieces of embroidery.
+
+All were well done, neatly and evenly worked; but there could be no
+doubt of it, even to Gracie's unwilling eyes,--Nellie Ransom's was
+somewhat the best. It was really astonishing for a child of her age.
+She was naturally handy with her needle, and had taken so much pains
+with this mat that it would have done credit to a much older person.
+The simple pattern was straight and even, and the stitches of the
+filling in lay in neat, regular rows, the worsted smooth and unfrayed,
+and not a speck or spot of any description to be seen upon the whole
+piece.
+
+Gracie's was very nearly a match for it; indeed, had the two pieces
+been looked at separately it might have seemed that there was nothing
+to choose between them; but laid side by side and closely compared,
+Nellie's would certainly bear off the palm.
+
+"Why, Nellie," said Dora, whose own work was by no means despicable,
+"how beautifully you have done it. I don't believe a grown-up lady
+could have worked it better. I know Mrs. Howard will say it's the best."
+
+Quiet Nellie colored and dimpled with pleasure. Praise was pleasant to
+her, as it is to all; but, although she would have been glad to have
+her work pronounced the best, it was with no overwhelming desire to
+outdo her companions. Nellie did her very best, but when another did
+better, she could be content with the feeling that it was not her own
+fault that she was excelled, and was ready to sympathize with her more
+fortunate classmate.
+
+"That will be priced ten dollars for certain and positive," said Lily,
+holding up the mat and regarding it with admiration. "It is lovely,
+Nellie. They are all very nice, 'specially Gracie's, but yours is the
+best."
+
+"It's not a bit better than Gracie's," said Hattie.
+
+"Don't you encourage Gracie more than she deserves," said Lily
+admonishingly. "She's pretty nice, but don't you puff her up too much."
+
+"I know something about you," said Hattie teasingly.
+
+"Well, know away," answered Lily scornfully. "You're always knowing
+something about somebody; and you want me to ask you what you know
+about me; but I don't want to know, and I'm not going to have you say
+some of the girls said hateful things of me. Besides--oh! I forgot; I
+b'lieve I was rather _anti-politing_;" and Lily, who was about to say
+that Hattie always made things seem worse than they were, put a check
+upon her saucy little tongue and turned once more to Nellie.
+
+One might have thought that Lily had worked the mat herself to see her
+pride and satisfaction in it.
+
+"Dora has done more on hers than Nellie and Gracie," said Belle.
+"Their two are pretty nearly the same. Let's see; Gracie has only
+two more rows done than Nellie; no, Nellie has two more done than
+Gracie--oh!--why--this is Gracie's, isn't it? I can hardly tell them
+apart, they are both so very nice."
+
+For, handing the mats about from one to another, the same mistake
+occurred more than once, Gracie's being taken for Nellie's or Nellie's
+for Gracie's, and they had to be held side by side before they could
+be distinguished. The children laughed and thought this rather funny;
+and it gave Gracie some hope that hers might be judged to be the best,
+after all. She would take more pains than ever.
+
+The thought of the mats and of outdoing Nellie was so busy with her
+that she did not give her usual attention to her lessons that morning;
+and, as the consequence, lost her place in the spelling-class, and was
+in a peevish humor for the rest of the day.
+
+Fresh cause of displeasure befell her at the close of school, when
+Miss Ashton said she thought it as well that the May Queen should be
+chosen soon.
+
+"Oh! we want Maggie, of course," said Lily.
+
+"Maggie again?" said Miss Ashton, smiling.
+
+"Yes'm," said Belle. "Maggie is used to it, and she makes the prettiest
+queen, so we'd rather have her; wouldn't we, girls?"
+
+There was a general murmur of assent, save from two voices.
+
+"Why don't we make some one else May Queen this year?" asked Hattie.
+"We might have Gracie."
+
+"Hattie," said Lily, endeavoring to make her voice of reproof one of
+extreme mildness, "as you have not been so very long in the school, it
+would be better if you let the old inhabitants be the judges."
+
+"Well, anyhow, I don't see why Maggie always has to be May Queen, and
+when she don't go to the school either," said Gracie pouting, and
+leaning back against her desk with a discontented air, till, catching
+Miss Ashton's eye fixed sadly and reproachfully upon her, she hung her
+head and looked ashamed.
+
+"Be-cause," said Lily with emphasis, "she's the prettiest child of our
+acquaintance. Not all the prettiness of all the rest of us make up
+one-half Maggie's prettiness, and she's not one bit vain or stuck-up
+about it either; and if she and Bessie don't just belong to the school,
+they belong to us, and so it's just the same. Whoever wants Maggie,
+hold up their hand."
+
+Up went every hand at once, save those of Gracie and Hattie, and
+presently Gracie's followed the example of the others, though half
+unwillingly.
+
+"Now," said Lily triumphantly, "that's voted, and for ever after let
+him hold his peace."
+
+The last allusion was perhaps not exactly clear either to Lily or her
+hearers; but it was thought extremely fine, and as having clinched the
+matter without farther argument. Miss Ashton laughed, and asked if Lily
+and Belle would undertake to let Maggie know that she was elected May
+Queen, which they readily promised to do.
+
+But the next morning these two little friends returned to school,
+and told their astonished and disappointed classmates that Maggie
+positively refused to be May Queen. Why they could not say, but
+all their persuasions had proved of no avail. Maggie was not to be
+"coaxed," and would give no reason for her refusal, though she had
+"seemed to feel awfully about it," Lily said, and had "cried about it"
+before they left. Bessie had been as much mystified as they were, and
+even Maggie's mamma, when appealed to, said that she knew of no reason
+why Maggie should decline the offered honor. Maggie, however, had said
+she would "tell mamma and Bessie," but she could tell no one else.
+
+Miss Ashton, when informed of Maggie's refusal, said that she would
+call on her and see what could be done, and until then the matter might
+rest.
+
+"Hattie," said Gracie, drawing her "intimate friend" into a corner
+during recess, "did you tell Maggie Bradford what I said about her
+being Queen twice?"
+
+"Well--no," said Hattie, hesitating at first, but then uttering her
+denial boldly as she saw the frown gathering upon Gracie's brow.
+
+Gracie looked at her as if she only half believed her, for she was
+learning to doubt Hattie's word, and although she was greedy of her
+flattery, she could not help feeling that her chosen friend was not
+sincere.
+
+"You know you've told a good many things I did not mean you to," said
+Gracie, "and I wouldn't like not to be friends with Maggie, or to let
+her think I'm hateful."
+
+And Hattie declared over and over again that she had never said one
+word to Maggie on the subject.
+
+"I do feel badly about it," said Gracie remorsefully. "I wish I had
+never said I thought Maggie ought not to be May Queen. Maggie's been my
+friend this ever so long, since I was quite little; and I believe I
+had rather the girls chose her. I've a good mind to write her a note,
+and tell her I wish she would be Queen."
+
+All the other children had left the school-room to go down and play on
+the piazza, and Gracie and Hattie were alone together.
+
+"I wouldn't," said Hattie; "you are the one who ought to be May Queen,
+'cause you are the smartest child in the school."
+
+Gracie believed this, and thought Hattie gave her no more than her due;
+still, although she liked to hear Hattie say it, the compliment did not
+turn her from her purpose.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+VII.
+
+_A MISFORTUNE._
+
+
+As the two children talked, Gracie had been putting a few stitches in
+her mat.
+
+"I b'lieve I'll do it," she said. "I'll tell Maggie we _all_ want her
+to be May Queen."
+
+"Then she'll know you've said something about it," said Hattie
+anxiously, feeling that this proceeding was likely to bring her into
+trouble.
+
+"No, she needn't," said Gracie; "perhaps she does think I don't want
+her to be, 'cause at Christmas she knew I was mad about it."
+
+"Are you going to beg her pardon?" asked Hattie.
+
+"No," said Gracie, with one of her scornful tosses of her head. "I
+think I see myself doing such a thing! But I can write her a little
+note, and tell her we are all sorry because she won't be May Queen, and
+beg her to change her mind. I might do as much as that for Maggie," she
+added to herself.
+
+Hattie tried to dissuade her no longer, and Gracie laid the mat down
+upon her desk, opened the lid, and took out a slip of paper and a pen.
+She dipped the pen in the ink, wrote, "My dear Maggie," at the top of
+the sheet, and then paused, biting the top of her pen.
+
+"I can't think what to say, or how to begin it," she said. "My dear
+Maggie, I am very sorry--no. I had better say _we_--we are very sorry
+that you--that you--oh, pshaw! I've a great mind not to do it"--here
+she dipped her pen in the ink again, and so carelessly that it came
+forth quite too full. "Oh, bother!" she exclaimed with increasing
+ill-humor; "look at this hateful pen;" and, forgetting the precious
+piece of work which lay so near at hand, she gave a careless fillip to
+the pen which spattered forth the ink.
+
+Gracie gave another impatient exclamation, and pushed away the paper,
+saying,--
+
+"I shan't do it; if Maggie likes to be so foolish about nothing, she
+just can;" but she did not see the extent of the mischief she had done
+till Hattie said in a tone of great dismay,--
+
+"O Gracie! just see what you've done!"
+
+And there upon her beautiful mat was a great spot of ink.
+
+Gracie gave a horrified little cry, and, snatching up the mat,
+thoughtlessly sopped up the spot with her handkerchief, thereby
+spreading and smearing it till it grew to the size of a two-cent piece,
+and left an ugly blotch on the bright blue worsted.
+
+"What shall I do? oh! what shall I do? It's spoiled; it's quite
+spoiled!" she said despairingly.
+
+"I don't believe it is; maybe it can be taken out," said Hattie, though
+she was almost as much startled as her little companion. "I'll bring
+some water, and we'll try to take it out."
+
+"No, no," said Gracie; "I wish I had not touched it at all. We'll only
+make it worse; and I'll ask mamma to try as soon as I go home. Oh,
+dear, dear, dear! what shall I do? Grandmamma will surely say Nellie's
+is the best now. That hateful girl!"
+
+"It's a great shame if she does," said Hattie. "Nellie is always trying
+to get ahead of you; and she don't deserve it, and I don't think your
+grandmamma is fair to you. She ought to think her own grandchild's work
+is the best."
+
+"I suppose Nellie will just be glad when she sees what has happened to
+me," said Gracie, whose jealous eyes could now see nothing that was
+good or fair in Nellie's conduct.
+
+Innocent, kind-hearted Nellie, who would not willingly harbor an unkind
+or unjust thought of another!
+
+"I shan't let her see it," she continued, hastily rolling up the mat
+and putting it into her desk, as she heard the other children coming.
+"Don't say a word about it, Hattie, not to any one."
+
+Hattie promised, really grieving herself for Gracie's misfortune, for
+she truly loved her, and was anxious that she should be the first.
+
+This was to be a black day for Gracie; but all through her own jealousy
+and pride.
+
+Her mind was so taken up with the remembrance of the defaced mat that
+she could not keep her thoughts upon her lessons; and, although she had
+known her history very well, her attention wandered so much that she
+answered incorrectly more than once.
+
+Seeing, however, that something had disturbed her, Miss Ashton made
+allowances, and gave her one or two opportunities to correct herself
+and bring her thoughts back to the task before her.
+
+But it was all in vain; Gracie had already lost her place in the
+spelling-class, and gone down below Dora Johnson and Laura Middleton;
+and now the fear of a fresh mortification, and of giving Nellie her
+place at the head of the history class added to her confusion, and she
+floundered more and more hopelessly. Nellie begged too that she might
+have still another chance, when at last Miss Ashton passed the question
+to her; but again Gracie failed and was obliged to yield her place.
+
+Angry, mortified, and jealous, Gracie showed such determined ill-temper
+towards her generous little classmate, that Miss Ashton was obliged to
+reprove her, but without effect.
+
+Again she called Gracie to order, and this time more severely.
+
+The angry and wilful child hesitated for one moment, then pride and
+passion burst all bounds, and she answered Miss Ashton with such
+insolence, such ungoverned and unjustifiable impertinence that the
+whole class stood aghast.
+
+There was a moment's perfect stillness. Miss Ashton turned very pale,
+and laying her book down upon the table, covered her face with her
+hand, while the children looked from her to Gracie and back again, in
+utter dismay and astonishment.
+
+Then the stillness was broken by a piteous, "Oh, dear!" from poor
+little Belle, who finished with a burst of tears, and her example was
+followed by more than one of the others.
+
+Miss Ashton raised her head.
+
+"Go into the cloak-room, Grace," she said quietly.
+
+Gracie was herself frightened at what she had done; but her pride
+and temper were still farther roused by the shocked and disapproving
+looks of her schoolmates, and she stood for an instant with determined
+stubbornness, while the words, "I won't," formed themselves upon her
+lips.
+
+But they were not uttered, for there was something in Miss Ashton's
+face which checked her; something which not one of the little flock had
+ever seen before; and when the lady repeated her words in the same calm
+tone,--
+
+"Go into the cloak-room," Gracie turned away and obeyed.
+
+It was with head held high, and scornful look, however, that she passed
+out, although bitter shame and regret were burning in the poor, foolish
+little heart. But she called up all her pride and jealousy to stifle
+the better feeling which urged her to run to her teacher, and, in the
+face of the whole school, confess her fault, and beg Miss Ashton's
+pardon for the insulting words she had spoken.
+
+"What will she do, I wonder," she said to herself; "will she tell
+mamma? What will mamma say, and papa too?" and, as the recollection of
+her parents' oft-repeated warnings against the pride and vanity which
+were her besetting sins came back to her mind, she could not but feel
+that this was the consequence of allowing them to gain such a hold upon
+her.
+
+She _felt_ it, for conscience would make itself heard; but she would
+not acknowledge it even to herself, and drowned the reproving whisper
+with such thoughts as,--
+
+"Well, then, why is Miss Ashton so unjust? She is always trying to make
+me miss and lose my place. She is always glad when any one goes above
+me. She never praises me as much as I deserve;" and such unjust and
+untrue accusations.
+
+It might be that Miss Ashton did not always bestow upon Gracie all the
+praise she would have given to another for a perfect lesson or good
+composition, for she did not think much praise good for her, as it only
+seemed to minister to Gracie's over-weening vanity. But only eyes that
+were wilfully blind and suspicious could find the slightest injustice
+or unkindness in her treatment of any one of her little scholars, and
+her gentleness and patience might have won gratitude from the most
+stubborn young heart.
+
+But Gracie would not listen to the promptings of her better spirit; and
+the recollection of the dismayed and averted looks of her schoolmates
+added fuel to the flame of her angry pride. Even the ever admiring
+Hattie had looked shocked at her outburst.
+
+"I don't care," she said again to herself. "It's only 'cause they know
+I am so much cleverer than any of them, and they are jealous of me.
+That hateful Nellie! She was so proud to go above me."
+
+Wretched and unhappy, she spent the time in her solitude till the close
+of school, when the other children came into the cloak-room for their
+hats.
+
+No one said a word to her, for they had been forbidden to do so; and
+if they had occasion to speak to one another they did so in whispers,
+as if something terrible had happened, and a great awe had fallen upon
+them. She sat in a corner, sullen and defiant, trying to put on an
+appearance of the utmost indifference, but succeeding very poorly. She
+even tried to hum a tune, but something rose in her throat and choked
+her. She scarcely knew what to do; whether or no to rise, and take her
+hat, and go down as usual to find the nurse, who was probably waiting
+for her below; and while she sat hesitating, one and another of her
+young companions passed out, as if glad to hurry from her presence, and
+she was left once more alone.
+
+She had just taken down her hat, when Miss Ashton came in, and, handing
+her a note, said gravely,--
+
+"Give this to your mother, Gracie," and left her again.
+
+Ashamed and alarmed at the thought of what might follow when she should
+reach home, but with her pride and anger not one whit abated, Gracie
+went slowly on, giving short and snappish answers to the inquiries of
+her nurse, who plainly saw that something was wrong.
+
+But she dared not face her mother when she should hear of her
+misconduct; and when they entered the house, she thrust the note into
+the hand of the maid, bidding her give it to Mrs. Howard, and ran
+quickly up to her own little room.
+
+There she stayed, wondering and waiting. Five, ten, fifteen, twenty
+minutes, half an hour passed away, and still her mamma did not come.
+
+Was it possible? could she really hope that the note had not been one
+of complaint of her conduct?
+
+No, that could never be; there was the bell for the children's early
+dinner. Well, she would go down and act as if nothing had happened. But
+could she with this uncertainty of how much or how little mamma knew?
+
+But there was mamma's step, and now Mrs. Howard entered the room. One
+half glance at her face and Gracie's eyes fell. It was enough to show
+her that her mother knew all.
+
+"Mean old thing!" she said to herself, meaning Miss Ashton. "She's gone
+and told, and now I s'pose I'll be punished."
+
+"Gracie," said her mother, "I suppose you scarcely need to be told what
+is in this note which Miss Ashton has sent me."
+
+Gracie stood with head erect, pouting lip, and defiant eyes, idly
+tossing back and forth the tassel of the window curtain with as much
+indifference as she could assume.
+
+"Has it come to this, my child," continued Mrs. Howard sorrowfully,
+"that you have allowed conceit and self-will to gain such a hold upon
+you, that you could wilfully and deliberately insult your teacher? I
+have been sure that you would fall into trouble, Gracie, for I knew
+that such foolish pride must sooner or later have a fall, but I could
+not have believed that you would be guilty of this. What did you say to
+Miss Ashton?"
+
+"I don't care," said Gracie passionately, without directly answering
+her mother's question. "It was all true, every word of it. She's as
+hateful as she can be, and unjust and mean;" and Gracie went on,
+pouring forth a torrent of invective and reproach against Miss Ashton
+and Nellie Ransom, without paying the slightest heed to her mother's
+commands to be silent. It was the long pent-up feeling of jealousy and
+ill-will and pride, that she had been nourishing for months past, and
+which now burst all bounds and swept every thing before it.
+
+Respect, and even obedience towards her mother, reason, justice,
+and truth itself were totally lost sight of, as she poured forth
+accusation after accusation against the offenders, and upheld her own
+conduct in all she had done and said.
+
+"And you have said all this to Miss Ashton, perhaps?" said her mother
+sternly, when the angry child at last came to a pause.
+
+"It is true enough if I did," muttered Gracie again, though her passion
+was by this time beginning to cool down in a measure. "I'm sure I wish
+I never went to her hateful old school."
+
+"It is more than probable that Miss Ashton wishes so now; but I
+shall leave you to think over what you have said to me and to Miss
+Ashton, and to find out how much of it is true. One thing Miss Ashton
+desires,--that you do not return to her school till you are ready to
+acknowledge your fault, and to apologize for your impertinence. And
+until this is the case, you must remain in your room. Your meals will
+be sent to you, and I shall not allow your brothers and sisters to have
+any intercourse with you till you are ready to make such amends as
+you can. You may send for me when you have any thing to say to me. Oh,
+Gracie, Gracie!"
+
+With which words, spoken in a sad, despondent tone, Mrs. Howard went
+away, closing the door upon her stubborn, rebellious little daughter.
+
+Gracie stood where her mother had left her, not one whit softened or
+humbled; for now her angry pride began to accuse her mother also of
+injustice and partiality and unkindness.
+
+"Everybody in the world takes part against me," she said to herself;
+"but I don't care. Indeed, I won't beg Miss Ashton's pardon, not if I
+stay here a year. Mamma makes such a fuss about her being so kind and
+patient and all that. She's paid for teaching me, so it's nothing so
+wonderfully good. I hope I never will go back to the school where that
+hateful Nellie is."
+
+Soon the door opened, and the nurse appeared, bearing a tray on which
+was Gracie's dinner. She set it upon a table, placed a chair, and went
+away without a word to her.
+
+"I don't care," said Gracie once more, "no one need talk to me if they
+don't want to. I'm just as good as they are, and I'd just as lief stay
+here by myself."
+
+She sat down before the dinner-tray, trying to believe that she would
+"just as lief eat her dinner alone;" but she found it was not so
+agreeable after all. She wondered what they were doing downstairs; if
+the children were chattering as merrily as usual, or if her absence
+made any difference in the family enjoyment. She had little appetite,
+as may be supposed, and left the nicely served meal scarcely touched.
+
+But it must not be thought that she had any idea of yielding or
+acknowledging herself in the wrong. By and by she heard her brothers
+and sisters coming upstairs, then their voices in the nursery as they
+prattled to one another; and she knew that they were being made ready
+for their afternoon airing. Then tiny feet pattered along the hall,
+and little May's voice sounded through her closed door,--
+
+"Am oo dood now, Dacie? We'm doin out, Dacie; am oo most dood? Pease
+don't be naughty dirl, Dacie," and the soft little hand tapped upon the
+panel as the baby voice pleaded.
+
+"Come away, darling. Gracie may come out when she is good and says she
+is sorry," said mamma's voice; and Gracie knew that her mother had led
+the little pet away.
+
+But all this only seemed to harden her. May was such a darling, the
+sweetest and dearest of all her brothers and sisters, Gracie thought;
+and, although the sweet, coaxing voice had touched her, she only found
+in her mother's interference fresh cause of offence.
+
+"Mamma tries to set even May against me, and I s'pose she's been
+telling all the children what I did," she thought; "but I don't care.
+I believe they'll grow tired of having me away before I am tired of
+staying here. There's plenty for me to do. I can read, and I'll work on
+my mat."
+
+But here it suddenly flashed upon her that she had not brought her mat
+home with her. Being sent away in disgrace and not returning to the
+school-room before leaving, she had quite forgotten it, and it still
+lay there in her desk. And that stain upon it, too, which she had
+intended to ask her mother to take out if possible. Mamma would not
+feel like doing it for her now, and she could ask no favors from her.
+Not unless she repented and--and--apologized to Miss Ashton. And this
+last she would not do; no, never, never.
+
+She heard the children going downstairs, stood at the window and
+watched them get into the carriage and drive away with mamma, and began
+to wish that she were there too. And such a lovely afternoon, it was
+too bad to be shut up here. But still she never blamed herself for her
+imprisonment; no, mamma, Miss Ashton, Nellie, any one was in the wrong,
+but not her own wilful, stubborn little self. What was to be the end of
+this she did not know, but Gracie had no thought of yielding.
+
+She whiled away the afternoon as she best could; but every thing seemed
+to have lost its zest. Her prettiest story-books had no interest;
+her dolls were "stupid" and poor company; even her stock of pretty
+materials for articles for the fair seemed less attractive than usual
+as she turned them over, and her work "would not go."
+
+This was the first time in her life that Gracie had ever been punished
+in such a manner; and apart from the disgrace, which she was determined
+not to feel, she was a child who was fond of society and did not know
+how to bear being deprived of it.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+VIII.
+
+"_THE SPIDER AND THE FLY._"
+
+
+If Mrs. Howard had perhaps hoped that little May's pleading would have
+any softening effect on Gracie, she was mistaken. The message she had
+expected to receive on reaching home did not come to her. Nor did she
+hear a word from Gracie through the evening until the little girl's
+bed-time came. Then she sent word that the hour had come, still hoping
+and believing that the stubborn heart must relent, and that Gracie
+would feel that she could not go to rest unforgiven and without her
+mother's good-night kiss. But she was mistaken. Gracie received the
+message in sullen silence, but obeyed and went to bed without one word
+of sorrow or repentance.
+
+It was the same in the morning. Gracie rose and was dressed; her
+breakfast was brought and eaten in solitude, as her dinner and supper
+had been yesterday; and still the nurse who waited upon her passed
+in and out, as it was necessary, and brought no word to comfort the
+sorrowing heart of her mother.
+
+School-time came, and Gracie knew that the children in her class would
+believe that her absence was caused by her misconduct of the previous
+day, as was indeed too true; but this only made her feel more and more
+proud and obstinate.
+
+The long, weary morning wore away, the solitary dinner was once more
+over, and again the house seemed so still and lonely, for mamma and the
+children had gone out again, and the servants were all downstairs.
+
+By and by Gracie heard a light, quick foot running up the stairs and
+coming towards her own door. The latch was turned and the door softly
+opened,--Mrs. Howard had not locked her in, for she believed that she
+could trust Gracie and that she would not disobey so far as to leave
+the room she had been bidden to keep,--and Hattie's face peeped in.
+
+Gracie started, partly in astonishment, partly in dismay; for what must
+she do now? Mamma would not have allowed her to see Hattie, she knew,
+if she had been at home; and must she send her away? She was so glad to
+see some one, to be able to speak to some one.
+
+Hattie came in, closed the door behind her, and, running to Gracie, put
+her arm about her neck and kissed her, saying with much energy,--
+
+"It's too mean, Gracie! it's the meanest thing I ever knew! It's a
+great shame!"
+
+There could be no doubt of her sympathy, of her belief that Gracie was
+in the right, or at least that she was not so very much to blame, and
+was undeservedly punished. For Hattie was really and truly very fond
+of Gracie, admired her and considered her very clever; and, although
+even she had been dismayed by Gracie's outburst yesterday, she was now
+disposed to treat it lightly, and to say that Gracie had been provoked.
+There was another reason, too, which induced Hattie to take part
+against Nellie Ransom, and to wish to put her in the wrong.
+
+"O Hattie!" said Gracie, "how did you come up here? Mamma wouldn't
+allow it, I know."
+
+Hattie laughed triumphantly.
+
+"I knew that," she said, "for I came to the door a little while ago and
+the servant said you were up in your room, but he thought you could
+not see any one to-day, and he said every one else was out. But I said
+I had a message from school for you, and that you must have it this
+afternoon. So of course he thought it was from Miss Ashton, as I meant
+he should, and he let me come up."
+
+"Mamma will be displeased," said Gracie; "you ought not, Hattie. I'm
+very glad to see you, but I must not let you stay."
+
+"I'll only stay a few minutes," said Hattie, taking the seat which
+Gracie had not ventured to offer her. "I've something perfectly
+splendid to tell you."
+
+"Was everybody saying ugly things about me to-day, and talking as if
+I was as wicked as a murderer?" asked Gracie, more interested in the
+opinion others might hold of her than in Hattie's promised news.
+
+There had really been very little said on the matter; the offence was
+too serious and too shocking to Gracie's young companions to make it an
+agreeable subject of conversation; and, although there had been some
+wondering as to whether Gracie would ever be allowed to return to the
+school, but few unkind remarks had been made, and these were more in
+sorrow than in censure.
+
+And Hattie was too full of her errand and of the fear of being found on
+forbidden ground to make as good a story of that little as she might
+have chosen to do at another time.
+
+"Well, no, not much," she answered. "I suppose that old Nellie,
+hateful thing, was glad enough."
+
+"Did she say so?" questioned Gracie.
+
+"No," said Hattie; "she did not speak about it. Gracie, did Miss Ashton
+send word to your mother and ask her to punish you?"
+
+"She wrote to her about it, and I suppose mamma punished me of her own
+accord," answered Gracie.
+
+"How long is she going to keep you up here?" asked Hattie.
+
+"Till--till--I beg Miss Ashton's pardon," said Gracie, her angry pride
+rising again at the thought; "and I _never_ will do it, no, _never_,
+not if I stay here a year!"
+
+"But the fair," said Hattie; "you know the fair is in two weeks, and if
+you don't come out before that you'll miss all the fun."
+
+Now, apart from the interest which all the little girls took in the
+fair, Gracie had a strong desire, as usual, to play some very prominent
+part therein. As we know, she had wished to be Queen, and had been
+vexed because Maggie Bradford had been chosen again; but, although she
+could not have this coveted honor, she still hoped and intended to make
+herself very conspicuous there.
+
+It was true that the thought of the fair and all that concerned it had
+been much in her mind, even during her imprisonment; but it had not
+occurred to her that her resolution of never, never apologizing to Miss
+Ashton, "even if she stayed shut up for a whole year," would scarcely
+agree with her appearance at the festival.
+
+She sat as if confounded at Hattie's words.
+
+"I'd do it if I were you," continued the latter, seeing the effect she
+had produced. "It's a great shame that you have to, but then you _will_
+have to, you know; and I'd do it and have it over. If you're going to
+fret and fuss here about it, you'll feel a great deal worse at last
+when you come to do it."
+
+Hattie's advice on this subject was certainly good in itself, though
+she did not put it before Gracie in a right light.
+
+"Miss Ashton is so unjust and so awfully partial to Nellie," pouted
+Gracie, although her resolution was beginning to waver a little for the
+first time.
+
+"I know it," said Hattie; "but she can't make other people think Nellie
+is the smartest child. Every one knows you are, Gracie, even if they
+won't say so."
+
+"I can learn three lessons while Nellie learns one; but Miss Ashton is
+always praising her and never praises me," was Gracie's answer.
+
+"I know it," said Hattie again. "Nellie--oh, I can't bear that
+girl!--sets up to be so wonderfully good, and Miss Ashton always
+believes whatever she says, and makes such a fuss about her; but you
+can just _say_ you beg Miss Ashton's pardon, and have it over. The rest
+of the class will have every thing their own way if you don't come out
+pretty soon and have your word about the fair; and there's your mat,
+too, you know, Gracie."
+
+"I forgot my mat yesterday when I came away," said Gracie. "I wish you
+had known it and then you could have brought it to me."
+
+Again Hattie gave a triumphant little laugh, and putting her hand into
+her pocket drew out the mat,--that is, _a_ mat.
+
+Gracie seized it eagerly, gave Hattie a kiss, saying, "Oh, you dear
+thing! I'm so glad."
+
+Then she looked for the stain, but there was no stain to be seen.
+
+"Where's that ink-spot? Oh, Hattie, did you take it out? There's not a
+sign of it."
+
+"No," said Hattie, "I did not take it out."
+
+"Why!" exclaimed Gracie, turning the mat over. "Why, it is--it is--it's
+not mine. It's Nellie's mat!"
+
+"I'm going to tell you," said Hattie. "This morning Miss Ashton handed
+me your history, which I believe you left in the cloak-room yesterday,
+and told me to put it in your desk. So when I opened the desk, the
+first thing I saw was the mat, and I knew you must have forgotten it.
+Nellie, the mean thing, she had brought her mat to school to-day again,
+and said she was going to work on it in recess; but when recess came
+the other children coaxed her to go out in the garden 'cause it was
+so pleasant, and she went. So while they were all down there, I saw
+the way to play Miss Nellie a good trick and to help you, dear; and I
+ran up to the school-room, changed Nellie's mat for yours, put hers
+back just as she had left it, and she'll never know the difference and
+think that somehow that ink-spot has come on her mat. And do you know,
+Gracie, it was the most fortunate thing that Nellie had just worked
+those two rows more that made her work even with yours; so she never
+can know. You remember yesterday we could scarcely tell them apart, and
+now they look almost exactly alike."
+
+"But what then?" said Gracie, almost frightened at the thought of
+Hattie's probable meaning.
+
+"Why, don't you see?" said Hattie, who told her story as if she thought
+she had done something very clever and praiseworthy; "you can just
+finish this mat as if it was your own, and need not bother yourself
+about the ink-stain."
+
+"But--but--Hattie--this one is Nellie's," said Gracie in a shocked
+voice.
+
+"What of that? we'll keep the secret, and no one will ever know but
+us two," said Hattie. "Nellie has the other one, and that's good
+enough for her. She has no right to expect the most money from your
+grandmamma. Take a great deal of pains with this, Gracie, and make the
+work look just like Nellie's."
+
+"But, I can't, I can't," said Gracie. "It seems to me almost
+like--stealing."
+
+"Stealing!" repeated Hattie. "I'd like to know who has been stealing! I
+only changed the mats, and you have the best right to the nicest one.
+I was not going to have Nellie get every thing away from you. She just
+thinks she's going to make herself the head of the school and beat you
+in every thing."
+
+Now as I have said, and as you will readily believe, there was more at
+the bottom of Hattie's desire to thwart Nellie than her wish to see
+Gracie stand first, although she was really very fond of the latter,
+and it was this.
+
+It had so happened that Nellie's rather blunt truthfulness and
+clear-sighted honesty had more than once detected Hattie's want of
+straightforwardness, and even defeated some object she had in view, and
+for this Hattie bore her a grudge. She was particularly displeased with
+her at the present time because of a reprimand from Miss Ashton which
+she chose to consider she owed to Nellie.
+
+Coming to school rather early one morning, a day or two since, Nellie
+found Belle Powers and Hattie there before her.
+
+Belle sat upon the lower step of the upper flight of stairs, in a
+state of utter woe, with the saddest of little faces, and wiping the
+tears from her eyes. Hattie, grasping the banister with one hand, was
+swinging herself back and forth, saying, "I wouldn't care if I were
+you. 'Tis nothing to cry about;" but she looked ashamed and rather
+caught when she saw Nellie coming up the stairs.
+
+"What is the matter, Belle?" asked Nellie, sitting down beside the
+school pet and darling, and putting her arm around her neck.
+
+"Fanny Leroy said things about me," sobbed Belle.
+
+"What things?" questioned Nellie with a searching look at Hattie.
+
+"She said I was so bad and spoiled I could hardly ever be good, even
+when I wanted to," answered Belle piteously; "and she said Miss Ashton
+had to be excusing me all the time for the naughty things I did in
+school. And I loved Fanny, and I wouldn't have said such bad things
+about her; and, oh, dear! I thought she loved me too. She came to
+Aunt Margaret's when I was there the day before she went away, to say
+good-bye to Maggie and Bessie and me; and she gave us each a nutmeg to
+remember her by and to keep for ever an' ever an' ever for a keepsake,
+and she kissed me ever so many times. And all the time she had been
+saying bad things about me, and so I'm going to throw away the nutmeg,
+'cause I don't want a keepsake of a girl who made b'lieve she liked me
+when she didn't."
+
+"I don't believe it," said Nellie with far more energy than was usual
+with her, and still regarding Hattie with searching looks.
+
+"But Hattie says she did," repeated Belle.
+
+Hattie's _saying_ a thing made it by no means sure in Nellie's
+eyes, and although she was not apt to interfere or meddle where she
+had no right to do so, she would not let this pass without further
+questioning. She was fond of the absent Fanny and loved Belle dearly;
+and believing that both were now wronged, she set herself to right them
+if possible.
+
+"I don't believe it," she said again.
+
+"Well, you just can believe it," said Hattie resentfully. "Don't I know
+what Fanny said to me? It's nothing to make such a fuss about, anyhow."
+
+"Belle has very easily hurt feelings," said Nellie; "and besides, it
+_is_ something to make a fuss about. And Fanny hardly ever would say
+unkind things of other people; the girls used to think she was 'most
+too particular about it. And, Hattie Leroy, I don't believe she ever
+said such things about Belle; anyhow, not in that way."
+
+"She did, too, I tell you," persisted Hattie, secure in Fanny's
+absence, and determined not to acknowledge that she had misrepresented
+her innocent words, from the mere love of talking and exaggeration,
+too; for she had not intended to hurt Belle so much, and was now really
+sorry to see her so grieved. "She did, too, I tell you. How do you know
+what Fanny said to me?"
+
+"I don't know what she did say, but I am sure she never said that,"
+repeated Nellie.
+
+Both little girls had raised their voices as they contradicted one
+another, and as the tones of neither were very amicable by this time,
+they drew the attention of Miss Ashton.
+
+"What is this, my little girls; what is the trouble?" she asked, coming
+up the stairs to them; then, seeing Belle's still distressed and
+tear-stained face she inquired, "Belle, darling, what is wrong?"
+
+Nellie and Hattie were both rather abashed, especially the latter,
+who knew herself to be in the wrong; but Belle answered, "Hattie
+thinks Fanny Leroy said something, and Nellie thinks she didn't.
+I don't know," she added with a mournful shake of her head, "but
+somehow somebody must be rather 'deceitful and _despicably_ wicked.'"
+Desperately, Belle meant, and she quoted her words in no spirit of
+irreverence, but because she thought them suited to the, to her,
+solemnity of the occasion.
+
+Miss Ashton, too, feared that there was some deceitfulness, or at least
+exaggeration; and seeing that little Belle was in real trouble she
+questioned further, and Nellie told her what Hattie had said.
+
+This was not the first time, by any means, that Miss Ashton had known
+mischief to arise from Hattie's thoughtless way, to call it by no
+worse name, of repeating things; and she reproved her pretty sharply,
+telling her that such speeches were not at all like her gentle,
+amiable cousin Fanny, and she could not believe her guilty of them;
+and even had she said them she, Hattie, had no right to repeat them
+and make needless sorrow and trouble for Belle. Then she soothed Belle
+and encouraged her to think that Fanny had not so wronged her; and
+after school she kept Hattie for a few moments, and spoke to her very
+seriously but kindly on her idle, foolish habit of telling tales with
+exaggeration and untruthfulness.
+
+But Hattie, in repeating this, had said that "Miss Ashton kept her in
+and gave her an awful scolding just because she had said something that
+cry-baby Belle did not like, and Nellie went and told her and so put
+her in a scrape;" nor did she see that it had been her own blame in
+the first instance. And ever since she had been vexed with Nellie, and
+this added strength to her wish to have Gracie outstrip Nellie. It was
+not altogether this, let us do her justice, for she really loved Gracie
+better than any other child in the school, and was anxious to have her
+win for her own sake.
+
+But we must go back to these two little girls as they sat together in
+Gracie's room.
+
+"Yes, so she does," echoed Gracie; "and I suppose now Miss Ashton will
+take away my conduct marks, and being away to-day, I'll lose my place
+in all the classes too. Not that I could not get ahead of her again
+easily enough," she added contemptuously.
+
+"But she can't have the best mat now," said Hattie.
+
+"I don't see how I _could_ do that," said Gracie. "It is her's, you
+know, Hattie, and I can't, really I can't."
+
+"But you'll have to now," said Hattie. "You know Nellie has found the
+ink-spot on the other mat by this time, and there's no way to give her
+this one back."
+
+Yes, there was one way, but that did not enter Hattie's thoughts.
+
+"I couldn't," said Gracie again, shrinking at the idea of doing what
+she knew to be so dishonest and deceitful. "I must have my own mat,
+Hattie; but I do wish this was mine and the other Nellie's."
+
+"But we can't put it back now, and I took it for you," said Hattie
+complainingly. "Gracie, you must keep it now. I shall get into an awful
+scrape if you don't; and it's real mean of you."
+
+It would take too long to tell you of all the arguments and persuasions
+Hattie used. How she pleaded and reproached; how she insisted that
+there was no way of undoing what she had done; how she excited and
+increased Gracie's jealous pride and desire to outdo Nellie; and this
+last she found by far the most effectual argument.
+
+And--Gracie yielded. Persuading herself that she had the best right to
+receive the highest premium because her own grandmamma had offered it;
+putting from her the thought of the only way in which justice could now
+be done to Nellie, on the plea that Hattie would be disgraced, and she
+would be "too mean" to bring this upon her; rousing up all her own
+naughty and envious feelings against innocent Nellie, she gave way at
+last and fell before temptation. Fell into the very sin, or even worse,
+from which she felt herself so very secure,--deceit and theft, for it
+was no less.
+
+"Now I'll go, dear," said Hattie, jumping up as soon as Gracie had
+yielded, perhaps afraid that she might repent and insist that she could
+not keep the mat, "and no one but us two will ever know the secret.
+And, Gracie, make up your mind to ask Miss Ashton's pardon, so you
+won't lose all the fun."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+IX.
+
+_A GUILTY CONSCIENCE._
+
+
+If Gracie had been an unhappy and miserable child before, what was
+she now with all this load upon her conscience? For even pride and
+self-conceit could not attempt to justify such a deed. Jealousy had
+a good deal to say; and she tried to listen to that, and to believe
+also that she was not really to blame: she had been forced into it;
+she could not betray Hattie, who had done this from love to her. But
+she was more wretched than it would be easy to tell; and she was
+beginning to feel such a contempt for her chosen friend that this also
+was a sore spot in her heart. Day by day she was learning that there
+was nothing true or honorable or upright about Hattie. She hardly
+even seemed to think it much harm to tell a falsehood, or appeared
+ashamed when she was found out; and for some days she had had a growing
+feeling that it was not pleasant to have a friend with the character
+of a "story-teller," which Hattie now bore among her school-fellows.
+And Gracie; was she not just as bad, perhaps even worse? For Gracie
+had been taught all the value and beauty of truth, and had never till
+now wilfully fallen away from it; but she knew that the worth of that
+jewel was not much considered in Hattie's home, and so it had lost its
+preciousness in her eyes.
+
+Miss Ashton, too, knew this; and so she was less severe with Hattie
+than she might have been with another child who had a better example
+and more encouragement to do right in this particular.
+
+Lily, in her plain speaking, would probably have called Mr. and Mrs.
+Leroy by the same uncomplimentary name she had given to Mr. Raymond;
+for the same foolish system of management was carried on in their
+family. Probably they would have been much shocked to hear it said
+that they taught the lesson of deceit; but was it to be expected that
+Hattie could have much regard for the truth when she heard herself and
+her brothers and sisters threatened with punishments, which were not,
+perhaps could not be carried out; when promises were made to them which
+were not kept; when they were frightened by tales of bears, wolves, and
+old black men, and such things which had no existence?
+
+"Willie, your mamma said she would send you to bed if you went there,"
+was said to little Willie Leroy one day.
+
+"Oh, I'm not afraid," answered Willie, contemptuously. "Mamma never
+does what she says;" and off he ran to the forbidden spot, his words
+proving quite true, although his mamma heard that he had disobeyed her
+so deliberately.
+
+"Is your mother going to make you something for the fair?" Hattie was
+asked by one of her schoolmates.
+
+"She says so; but I don't know if she will," was the answer.
+
+Hattie's was not the simple faith of "Mamma says so," so sweet in
+little children. Mamma might or might not do as she had said she would,
+according to the convenience of the moment.
+
+So it was no marvel that Hattie thought it no great harm to escape
+punishment or gain some fancied good by stretching the truth, or
+even telling a deliberate falsehood; or that, having a great love of
+talking, a story should outgrow its true dimensions in her hands;
+or that she did not see what was honest and upright as well as some
+children.
+
+But with Gracie Howard it was very different.
+
+Truth, and truth before all things, was the motto in her home, the
+lesson which from her babyhood had been taught to her by precept and
+by example; and the conscience which, in Hattie, was so easily put to
+sleep, would not let her rest. In vain did jealousy and ambition try to
+reconcile her to the act of dishonesty and meanness into which she had
+allowed herself to be drawn; in vain did she argue with herself that
+"it was all Hattie's fault;" she could not betray Hattie when she had
+done this just for her; or "there was no way of putting the mat back
+now; she could not help herself." Gracie sinned with her eyes open, and
+her conscience all alive to the wickedness of which she was guilty.
+
+But her stubborn pride was beginning to give way in one point; for she
+had no mind to "lose the fun of the fair," as Hattie said,--though even
+the fair had lost some of its attraction with this weight upon her
+conscience,--and she resolved to send for her mother, and tell her she
+would ask Miss Ashton's pardon.
+
+So when the long, weary afternoon had worn away, and Mrs. Howard came
+home, Gracie rang the bell, and sent a message begging her mother to
+come to her.
+
+Mamma came thankfully; but one look at her little daughter's face was
+enough to convince her that she was in no softened mood, in no gentle
+and humbled spirit. It was with a sullen and still half-defiant manner
+that Gracie offered to do what was required of her; and her mother
+saw that it was fear of farther punishment, and not real sorrow and
+repentance, which moved her.
+
+"I suppose I ought not to have spoken so, mamma," she answered, when
+her mother asked her if she did not see how very naughty she had been;
+"but Miss Ashton is so unjust, and Nellie provokes me so."
+
+"How is Miss Ashton unjust?" asked Mrs. Howard.
+
+Gracie fidgeted and pouted, knowing that her mother would not be
+willing to accept the charges she was ready to bring.
+
+"She's always praising Nellie for every thing she does, mamma; and in
+these days she never gives me one word of praise, even when every one
+has to see that I do the best. And--and--I b'lieve she tries to make
+me miss, so Nellie can go above me in the classes."
+
+"Gracie," said her mother, "you know that that last accusation is
+untrue. As for the first, if Miss Ashton is sparing of her praise, my
+daughter, it is because she knows it is hurtful to you. Nellie is a
+timid child, trying to do her best, but with little confidence in her
+own powers; and praise, while it encourages and helps her to persevere,
+does not make her vain or conceited. But Miss Ashton sees that that
+which is needful for Nellie is hurtful to you; for it only increases
+your foolish vanity and self-esteem, and it is for your own good that
+she gives you a smaller share. You have, unhappily, so good an opinion
+of yourself, Gracie, that praise not only makes you disagreeable, but
+disposes you to take less trouble to improve yourself. Let me hear
+no more of Miss Ashton's injustice. When you deserve it, or it does
+not hurt you, Miss Ashton is as ready to give praise to you as she
+is to another. You say you are willing to ask her pardon for your
+impertinence; but I fear that you do not really see your fault."
+
+"Are you not going to let me come out, then, mamma?"
+
+"Yes, since you promise to do as I say; but I fear you are in no proper
+spirit, Gracie, and that you will fall into further trouble unless you
+become more submissive and modest."
+
+"Hattie was here this afternoon, mamma," said Gracie, as she followed
+her mother from the room.
+
+"So I understood," said Mrs. Howard, who had been waiting for the
+confession, having been informed of the circumstance by the servant.
+
+"I left my mat in school yesterday," said Gracie, "and she thought I
+would want it, and came to bring it back."
+
+She spoke in a low tone and with downcast eyes; for Gracie was so
+unused to deceit that she could not carry it out boldly, as a more
+practised child might have done.
+
+Something in her manner struck her mother, who turned and looked at
+her.
+
+"Did Hattie bring you any message from Miss Ashton?" she asked.
+
+"No, mamma: she only came about the mat; and she begged me to ask Miss
+Ashton's pardon," answered Gracie with the same hesitation.
+
+But her mother only thought that the averted face and drooping look
+were due to the shame which she felt at meeting the rest of the family
+after her late punishment and disgrace.
+
+"I told Hattie you would not wish her to stay with me, mamma; but she
+would not go right away, but I would not let her stay very long."
+
+"I am glad you were so honest, dear," said Mrs Howard.
+
+Honest! Gracie knew how little she deserved such a character, and her
+mother's praise made her feel more guilty than ever.
+
+She was received with open arms by the other children; for Gracie was
+the eldest of the flock, and, in spite of her self-conceit, she was a
+kind little sister, and the younger ones quite shared her own opinion,
+thinking no child so good and wise as their Gracie. And they had missed
+her very much; so now they all treated her as if she had been ill or
+absent, and made much of her.
+
+But for once Gracie could not enjoy this, and it only seemed to make
+her feel more ashamed and guilty. What would mamma say, what would all
+say if they only knew?
+
+Mrs. Howard had told Gracie that she might either go to school early
+in the morning and make her apology to Miss Ashton before the other
+scholars came, or she might write to her this evening, and send the
+note to her teacher.
+
+Gracie had chosen to do the last; but when the younger children had
+gone to bed, and she tried to write the note, she found she could not
+bring her mind to it. Her conscience was so troubled, and her thoughts
+so full of her guilty secret, that the words she needed would not come
+to her; and as her mother saw her sitting with her elbows upon the
+table, biting the end of her pencil or scrawling idly over her blotter
+and seeming to make no progress at all, she believed, and with reason,
+that Gracie was not truly repentant for what she had done, and had
+only promised to beg Miss Ashton's pardon in order that she might be
+released from the imprisonment of which she had tired. Gracie was not
+usually at a loss for ideas or words where she had any thing to write.
+
+"I can't do it," she said pettishly at last, pushing paper and pencil
+from her. "I s'pose I'll have to go to Miss Ashton in the morning, and
+I b'lieve I'll go to bed now. Good-night, mamma."
+
+And Gracie went to her room, wishing to escape from her own thoughts,
+and bring this miserable day to a close as soon as possible.
+
+But the next morning it was no better; and now it seemed harder to go
+to Miss Ashton and speak than it would be to write. But it was too late
+now: she had no time to compose a note, "make it up" as she would have
+said, and to copy it before school, and she must abide by her choice
+of the previous night.
+
+She started early for school, according to her mother's desire, with
+many charges from her to remember how grievously she had offended Miss
+Ashton, and to put away pride and self-conceit and make her apology in
+a proper spirit.
+
+Had there not been that guilty secret fretting at Gracie's heart, she
+might have been induced to be more submissive; but, as it was, she felt
+so unhappy that it only increased her reluctance to make amends to Miss
+Ashton and acknowledge how wrong she had been.
+
+She asked for her teacher at once when she reached the house, anxious
+to "have it over;" and, when the young lady appeared, blurted out, "I
+beg your pardon, Miss Ashton."
+
+Miss Ashton sat down, and, taking Gracie's half-reluctant hand, drew
+her kindly towards her.
+
+"It is freely granted, my dear," she said. "And are you truly sorry,
+Gracie?"
+
+Gracie fidgeted and wriggled uneasily; but we who know what she had
+done can readily believe that it was more pride than a strict love of
+the truth which led her to say to herself that she was "not sorry," and
+"she could not tell a story by saying so."
+
+"I beg your pardon, ma'am, and I won't do so again," she repeated,
+seeing that Miss Ashton waited for her answer.
+
+Miss Ashton did not wish to force her to say that which she did not
+feel, and she saw that it was of no use to argue with her in her
+present stubborn mood; but she talked quietly and kindly to her,
+setting before her the folly and the wrong of the self-love and vanity
+which were ruling her conduct, and day by day spoiling all that was
+good and fair in her character.
+
+"See what trouble they have brought you into now, Gracie," she said;
+"and unless you check them in time, my child, they will lead you deeper
+into sin. I scarcely know you for the same little girl who first came
+to me, so much have these faults grown upon you; and they are fast
+destroying all the affection and confidence of your school-fellows.
+Why, Gracie, I have heard one little girl say that 'Gracie thought so
+much of herself that it sometimes made her forget to be very true.'"
+
+Gracie started. Was this the character her self-love was earning for
+her? she who desired to stand so high in all points with the world.
+
+Ah! but it was for the praise of man, and not for the honor and glory
+of God that Gracie strove to outshine all others; and she walked by her
+own strength, and the poor, weak prop must fail her and would lay her
+low.
+
+"Forget to be very true!"
+
+How far she had done this, even Miss Ashton did not dream; but it
+seemed to Gracie that she had chosen her words to give her the deepest
+thrust, and she bowed her head in shame and fear.
+
+But Miss Ashton, knowing nothing of what was passing in that guilty
+young heart, was glad to see this, and believed that her words were
+at last making some impression on Gracie, and that she was taking
+her counsel and reproof in a different spirit from that in which she
+generally received them.
+
+Strange to say, in all the miserable and remorseful thoughts which had
+made her wretched since yesterday afternoon, it had not once entered
+her mind how she was to face Nellie when the poor child should make
+known the misfortune which had befallen her.
+
+One by one the children came in, and how awkward Gracie felt in meeting
+them may readily be imagined by any one who has suffered from some
+similar and well-merited disgrace. Still she tried, as she whispered
+to Hattie she should do, to "behave as if nothing had happened;" and
+when little Belle, after looking at her wistfully for a moment as if
+undecided how to act, came up and kissed her, saying, "I'm glad to see
+you, Gracie," she answered rather ungraciously, "I'm sure it's not
+so very long since you saw me," and sent the dear little girl away
+feeling very much rebuffed.
+
+And yet she really felt Belle's innocent friendliness, and her sweet
+attempt to make her welcome and at her ease; but pride would not let
+her show it.
+
+Nellie was one of the last to arrive, and her troubled and woe-begone
+face startled Gracie and smote her to the heart.
+
+"Such a dreadful thing has happened to me," said Nellie, when she was
+questioned by the other children; and the tears started to her eyes
+afresh as she spoke.
+
+"What is it? What is it?" asked a number of eager voices.
+
+"I don't know how it can have happened," said Nellie, hardly able to
+speak for the sobs she vainly tried to keep back. "I have been so, so
+careful; but there is an ugly spot like ink or something on my mat.
+I can't think how it ever came there, for I put it in my desk very
+carefully when school began yesterday, and did not take it out till I
+got home, and I did not know there was any ink near it. But when I
+unrolled it last evening the stain was there, and mamma thinks it is
+ink, and she cannot get it out. And I've taken such pains to keep the
+mat clean and nice."
+
+And here poor Nellie's voice broke down entirely, while Gracie, feeling
+as if her self-command, too, must give way, opened her desk and put her
+head therein, with a horrible choking feeling in her throat.
+
+"We'll all tell Mrs. Howard it came somehow through not any fault of
+yours," said Lily. "Never mind, Nellie, yours is the best mat, anyhow:
+we all know it;" and Lily cast a defiant and provoking glance at
+Gracie, which was quite lost upon the latter.
+
+Lily had suggested on the day before, that when Gracie came back to
+school they should "all behave just as if nothing had happened," just
+what Gracie intended to do; but generous Lily had said it in quite a
+different spirit from that in which Gracie proposed it to herself.
+
+But Gracie's rebuff to Belle, and the seeming indifference with
+which she treated Nellie's misfortune, roused Lily's indignation once
+more; for she thought, as did many of the other children, that Gracie
+did not feel sorry for Nellie's trouble, since it gave her the greater
+chance of having her own work pronounced the best.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Yes, we will tell Mrs. Howard," said Dora Johnson: "yours was really
+the best mat of all, though Gracie's was almost as nice; and we will
+tell her something happened to it that you could not help, and perhaps
+she will not mind it."
+
+"Perhaps a vase standing on it would cover the spot," said Laura
+Middleton.
+
+Nellie shook her head.
+
+"No," she said, "that would not make it any better. Mrs. Howard said
+that the best and neatest mat must take the highest premium, and mine
+is not the neatest now. I wouldn't feel comfortable to do any thing
+that was not quite fair, even if you all said I might."
+
+"That was not quite fair!"
+
+More and more ashamed, and feeling how far behind Nellie left her in
+honesty and fairness, Gracie still sat fumbling in her desk, looking
+for nothing.
+
+"Well," said Dora, "we'll speak to Mrs. Howard about it, and see what
+she says: won't we, Gracie?"
+
+Gracie muttered something which might mean either yes or no.
+
+"Augh!" said Lily, "what do you talk to that proudy about it for? She
+don't care a bit. I b'lieve she's just glad and wouldn't help Nellie if
+she could."
+
+Gracie made no answer: she was too miserable for words or to think of
+answering Lily's taunts, and she would have given up all thought of
+having any thing to do with the fair to have had Nellie's mat safely in
+her possession once more. Oh, if she had never yielded to temptation or
+to Hattie's persuasions!
+
+"How you do act!" whispered Hattie to Gracie. "If you don't take care
+they will suspect something."
+
+"I can't help it," returned Gracie in the same tone: "it is such an
+awful story that we have told."
+
+"It is not a story," said Hattie; "we've neither of us said one word
+about the mat."
+
+This was a new view of the matter; but it brought no comfort to
+Gracie's conscience She knew that the acted deceit was as bad as the
+spoken one, perhaps in this case even worse.
+
+She felt as if she could not bear this any longer, as if she must
+tell, must confess what she had done; and yet--how? How could she
+lower herself so in the eyes of her schoolmates? she who had always
+held herself so high, been so scornful over the least meanness,
+equivocation, or approach to falsehood!
+
+A more wretched little girl than Gracie was that morning it would have
+been hard to find; but her teacher and schoolmates thought her want
+of spirit arose from the recollection of her late naughtiness and the
+feeling of shame, and took as little notice of it as possible.
+
+And Lily, repenting of her resentment when she saw how dull and
+miserable Gracie seemed, threw her arms about her neck as they were
+leaving school, and said, "Please forgive me my provokingness this
+morning, Gracie. I ought to be ashamed, and I am."
+
+But Gracie could not return, scarcely suffer, the caress, and dared not
+trust herself to speak, as she thought how furious Lily's indignation
+would be if she but knew the truth.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+X.
+
+_A GAME OF CHARACTERS._
+
+
+At home or at school, studying, working or playing--for the latter she
+had little heart now--Gracie could not shake off the weight that was
+upon her mind and spirits. Even her work for the fair had lost its
+interest; and as for the mat, Nellie's mat, she could not bear the
+sight of it. She went to sleep at night thinking of it, and trying to
+contrive some way out of her difficulty, though she would not listen to
+the voice of her conscience which whispered that there was but one way;
+and she woke in the morning with the feeling that something dreadful
+had happened. Appetite and spirits failed; she grew fretful and
+irritable, and her mother imagined that she must be ill, though Gracie
+resolutely persisted that there was nothing the matter with her, and
+that she felt quite well.
+
+"Gracie," said Mrs. Howard one morning after three or four days had
+passed, "it appears to me that you are not doing much on your mat. How
+is that?"
+
+"I don't care," answered Gracie, fretfully. "I don't believe I'll
+finish it. I'm tired of the old thing."
+
+"That will not do, my child," said her mother. "You have undertaken to
+do this for your grandmamma and for the fair, and I cannot have you
+stop it now without some good reason. Bring the mat to me."
+
+Gracie went for the mat very unwillingly, though she dared not refuse
+nor even show her reluctance.
+
+"It really does you credit," said Mrs. Howard, taking it from her
+hands: "it is so smooth and even, and you have kept it so neat. But
+you must be more industrious, dear, if you are to have it finished
+in time. And see, Gracie," she continued, looking at it more closely,
+"these last few lines look not _quite_ as nicely as the rest. There is
+a difference in the work, and you will have to take more pains than you
+have done here. It looks almost as if another person had worked it. You
+have not let any one help you with it, have you?"
+
+"No, mamma," replied Gracie in a low tone and with a frightened
+feeling. Was there really such a difference between her work and
+Nellie's that it was so easily detected?
+
+It had not occurred either to her or to Hattie, perhaps they did not
+know, that the work of two different hands seldom or never matches well
+upon embroidery in worsted, and that it is almost sure to be perceived.
+She was dismayed at the thought that her mother had noticed this, and
+now every stitch that she took seemed to make the difference more
+plain, take what pains she might.
+
+She began to feel angry and indignant at Hattie for leading her into
+this sin, shutting her eyes to the fact that, if she had not allowed
+proud and jealous thoughts to creep into her heart, temptation would
+not have had so much influence over her.
+
+She no longer took any pleasure in the society of her little friend,
+and shrank from her in a way that Hattie perceived, and by which she
+was hurt; for she was disposed in her own mind to throw all the blame
+upon Hattie, forgetting that she was really the most to blame, since
+she had been better taught, and saw more clearly the difference between
+right and wrong.
+
+As for Nellie, poor, innocent, injured Nellie, Gracie felt as if she
+could not bear the sight of her; and when she saw in what a gentle,
+patient spirit she took her great misfortune,--for so all the children
+considered it,--she grew more and more ashamed and lowered in her own
+sight. Pride and self-esteem could not now blind her to the fact that
+Nellie was better, far better, than herself.
+
+Meanwhile the change in Gracie was exciting the wonder of all, the
+pity of some, of her young friends and schoolmates. Only Hattie held
+the clew to it; and she was surprised that such "a trifle," as she
+considered it, should have such an effect upon Gracie and make her so
+unhappy.
+
+But Gracie was not a really bad or deceitful child, although she had
+suffered herself to be led so far astray. She was not naturally more
+unkind or selfish than most of us who have not the love and fear of
+God before us; indeed she was what children call "generous" in giving
+or sharing what she had, and she was always glad to do a helpful
+or obliging act for another. But she had always trusted to her own
+strength, and believed she could not fall, and now she was learning
+that her high thoughts of herself, and her carelessness of what she
+considered little faults, had made her an easy prey to temptation and
+the indulgence of a foolish pride and jealousy had led her into this
+great sin into which she had not imagined she could fall. But although
+she saw this now, she was not truly repentant; for she would not take
+the only right and true way to make amends; and spent her time wishing
+vain wishes, and trying to contrive some way out of her difficulty
+without bringing disgrace upon herself or losing her character for
+honor and truthfulness among her young companions. It troubled Gracie
+far less to think how she already stood in the eyes of God, than it did
+to imagine how she might appear in the sight of her earthly friends if
+this thing were known.
+
+There was a small children's party at Mrs. Bradford's. Gracie did not
+care to go; indeed she would much rather not have done so: but her
+mother had accepted for her, and she had no good excuse for staying
+away.
+
+She was more restless and miserable than usual that afternoon: she
+set up her opinion against that of all the rest, found fault with her
+playmates in every game that was begun, was more than usually sure that
+she knew every thing and could do better than any one else, and, not
+having her wits and thoughts about her, miserably failed in all the
+plays in which she meant to shine.
+
+"What shall we play now?" asked Bessie at length, when they had all
+tired of some romping game.
+
+"Let's take a little rest, and play 'Characters,'" said Gracie, who was
+very good in this, having no match among her present playmates save
+Maggie.
+
+"Well," said Maggie, willing to please her if possible, although she
+saw some objections to the game just now; "we'll play it; but it is
+rather hard for the younger ones, so we must take easy characters.
+Who'll go out?"
+
+"I will," said Lily; "but mind you do take an easy one. Somebody we
+know very well, not any history or jography character. I don't want to
+bother my head about lesson people when I'm playing."
+
+"Very well," said Maggie; and Lily went out, singing loudly in the hall
+that she might "be sure and not hear."
+
+"Let's take Cromwell," said Gracie, always anxious, no matter what her
+frame of mind, to display her knowledge.
+
+"No," said Maggie, "that's too hard for Lily; and she wants us to take
+some one we know."
+
+"I should think any goose might know about Cromwell," said Gracie.
+
+"We did not know about him till a few weeks ago," said Dora Johnson.
+"We've only just had him in our history, and I don't b'lieve Lily knows
+much about him."
+
+"Then take Lafayette," said Gracie.
+
+"Lily means some of the people we have in our own lives," said Bessie.
+"Make haste: she'll be tired."
+
+This was seconded by Lily's voice calling from without, "Why don't you
+make haste? I should think you were choosing a hundred people."
+
+"Let's take Flossey," said Belle, looking at the dog, who had jumped
+upon a chair beside Maggie, where he sat with a wise and sedate air as
+if he were listening to all that passed, and ready to take his share in
+the game.
+
+This was agreed upon by all but Gracie, who declared that it was
+"ridiculous to choose a dog," and she had "a great mind not to play the
+game in such an absurd way."
+
+Lily was called in and proceeded to ask her questions.
+
+"Male or female?" was the first, beginning at Dora.
+
+"Male," answered Dora.
+
+"Black or white?" asked Lily.
+
+"Neither," said Belle, who was next in turn, "least he's not black at
+all; but he's some white."
+
+Lily looked rather puzzled at this.
+
+"And what color besides is he?"
+
+"Brown," answered Bessie.
+
+"A brown and white man," said Lily. "Oh! I know. It's old black Peter."
+
+"No, no, no," echoed around the circle.
+
+"Not one scrap of Peter is white," said Mamie Stone. "He's the blackest
+old man I ever saw."
+
+"Part of his eyes are white and his teeth too," said Lily, who was
+generally pretty sure of her ground when she stated a fact. "Where does
+he live?"
+
+"In this country," said Nellie.
+
+"In this city?"
+
+"Yes," answered Maggie.
+
+"Is he good or bad?"
+
+"Good, most generally," answered Mabel; "only sometimes pretty
+mischievous."
+
+"Oh," said Lily, light beginning to break upon her. "Can he talk?"
+
+"He tan't talt, but he tan bart pretty well," said Frankie, to whom the
+question fell.
+
+"Oh! oh! that's too plain," cried one and another laughing; and Maggie,
+thinking Frankie did not understand the game well enough to be allowed
+to go out, gave a hint to Lily, but not wishing to hurt her little
+brother's feelings took refuge in the French language, and said:--
+
+"Ne _guessez_ pas a lui."
+
+Frankie, however, was too sharp for her; there was not much that
+escaped him, and he exclaimed in a very aggrieved tone that it was
+"not fair," and that Lily should guess at him.
+
+So Lily said "Flossey" was the character; and, amid much laughter, the
+young gentleman betook himself to the hall with a pompous air, telling
+the little girls to make haste.
+
+"Let's take himself," said Bessie, which being agreed upon, Frankie was
+called back almost before he was well out of the room.
+
+"Is he blat or white?" he asked, following Lily's example, and
+beginning as she had done at Dora.
+
+"He's white," said Dora laughing; and, in obedience to a suggestion
+from Maggie to help him out, she added,--"white, with brown eyes and
+red cheeks and brown hair."
+
+"Flossey," cried Frankie triumphantly.
+
+"No, no; not Flossey again," said the children.
+
+"Does he have four feets?" asked the little boy.
+
+"No, only two," said Belle.
+
+"Does he live in the stable?" asked Frankie.
+
+"No, he lives in this house," said Bessie.
+
+"Blackie," said Frankie, who was unable to give up the idea that since
+it was not Flossey it must be the little pony owned by his sisters.
+
+"Does he eat hay?" was his next question.
+
+"No," answered Nellie, "he eats fruit and meat and bread and milk, and,
+oh! how he does love sugar and candy!"
+
+"Me," cried Frankie, feeling that this description exactly suited
+himself.
+
+The character having been guessed at Nellie she now went out, and
+Maggie, willing to put Gracie in a good humor if possible, asked her
+who they should take this time.
+
+"Mary, Queen of Scots," answered Gracie promptly.
+
+It was not altogether probable that the younger children knew much of
+this unfortunate lady, but Gracie's choice was acceded to and Nellie
+called.
+
+"Male or female?" was of course the first question.
+
+"Female," answered Dora.
+
+"Old or young?"
+
+"Um--m--m, pretty old," said Belle; "at least she was grown up."
+
+"Is she alive now?"
+
+"No," answered Bessie.
+
+"Where did she live?"
+
+"Well," said Lily, "she lived in a good many places. But not in this
+country. Generally in France or Scotland."
+
+"Oh," said Nellie to whom this answer gave an inkling of the truth; but
+she passed on to the next.
+
+"Was she good or bad, Maggie?"
+
+"Some think her quite celestial and some think her quite infernal,"
+answered Maggie with grand emphasis; "but on the whole I think she was
+not either, only rather middling like the most of us."
+
+Nellie felt more confident than ever; but not caring to risk one of her
+three guesses as yet, she passed on. The questions she put to Mabel and
+Frankie were simple and very easily answered; then came Gracie's turn.
+
+"What was she celebrated for?"
+
+"For cruelty and persecuting people," answered Gracie confidently; and
+Nellie's idea was at once put to flight by the reply.
+
+"That's a mistake," said Dora. "You are thinking of another character,
+Gracie."
+
+"I'm not, either," said Gracie. "Don't I know history better than any
+of you?"
+
+"You don't know _that_, anyway," said Maggie. "Gracie, you _are_ wrong.
+_She_ was not the character you are thinking of, and was not celebrated
+for that."
+
+"But she _was_," persisted Gracie.
+
+"Nellie," said Maggie, "you need not guess by what Gracie has told you,
+for she is not right."
+
+"I'll put my question another way," said Nellie. "Can I ask Gracie once
+again?"
+
+All agreed and Nellie asked,--
+
+"Was she celebrated for her beauty and her misfortunes?"
+
+"I shan't tell you," said Gracie snappishly. "If I do, I shan't be
+believed, but they'll all go and contradict me. I suppose I know what
+I know; and any of you might be proud if you knew as much history as I
+do and had kept the head of the class so long."
+
+Gracie had for a moment forgotten how disgracefully she had lost her
+place at the head of the history class, but the silence that followed
+her ill-tempered speech brought it back to her and increased her
+vexation.
+
+"You all think you know so much," she said, throwing herself back
+sullenly in her chair.
+
+Bessie had begged Lily to bear with Gracie and not to aggravate her
+as she seemed so miserable and out of spirits, and Lily had been very
+forbearing; at least, so she thought. But now her small stock of
+patience was quite exhausted and she exclaimed vehemently:--
+
+"Gracie, we try to stand you; we do try with all our might and main;
+but you use up every bit of standing there is in me!"
+
+This did not mend matters in Gracie's present state of mind, but led to
+a pretty severe quarrel between her and Lily which the others vainly
+tried to heal, Lily being rather provoking, and Gracie obstinately
+sullen and ill-tempered.
+
+It ended in a violent burst of tears from the latter, and a declaration
+that she would go home at once. But this was impossible, since it was
+now evening; and the children's supper-time being near at hand, Mrs.
+Bradford could not just then spare a servant to go home with Gracie.
+
+No soothing or coaxing proved of any avail, nor did Lily's repentance;
+for she was sorry now that she had been provoking, and would readily
+have kissed and made up if Gracie could have been persuaded to do so.
+
+Gracie said that she would not stay where Lily was, and went sulkily
+upstairs to the room where Maggie and Bessie slept.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+XI.
+
+_CONFESSION._
+
+
+Gracie expected and wished to be left to herself till it was time to
+go home; at least she thought she did, and she had quite made up her
+mind that if any one came and begged her to go down to supper she would
+steadily refuse.
+
+She stood there with all manner of unhappy and wretched feelings,
+wishing vain and fruitless wishes, as she had so often done since she
+had fallen into this sin,--that she had never allowed Hattie to tempt
+her into doing what she knew to be wrong; that grandmamma had never
+made this plan or offered to put a price on the different pieces of
+work; that she had never gone to the school, or that Nellie had never
+belonged to it; but still she did not think of wishing that she had not
+thought so much of herself or been so very anxious above all things to
+be first.
+
+Poor Gracie! Only those can tell how unhappy she was who have
+themselves so fallen and so suffered. There was no way out of her
+trouble but by confessing all the truth, and she could not bring
+herself to that.
+
+She had not closed the door when she came in, and presently she heard a
+gentle foot-fall, then Bessie's soft voice, saying, "Are you in here,
+Gracie?"
+
+There was no light in the room save the faint glimmer of moonlight
+which came through the window, and as Gracie stood in the shade, Bessie
+did not at first see her.
+
+"Yes, I'm here, but I don't want any supper, and I'm not coming down
+till I go home," answered Gracie, not as ungraciously as she had
+intended to speak, for somehow she could not be disagreeable to dear
+Bessie.
+
+"Supper is not quite ready yet, and you shall have some up here if you
+had very much rather not come down," said Bessie with a coaxing tone in
+her voice; "but you'd better come down, Gracie. They're all very sorry
+for you and don't think you meant to be cross, 'cause Nellie said she
+was sure something troubled you for a good many days, or you did not
+feel well, and that often made people impatient, so we ought not to be
+mad at you."
+
+Gracie made no answer, but presently Bessie heard a low sob.
+
+"Gracie, dear," she said, coming closer to her little friend and
+putting her arms about her neck, "something does trouble you, doesn't
+it? Couldn't you tell me what it is, and let me see if I could comfort
+you? Sometimes it makes people feel better to tell their troubles and
+have some one feel sorry for them."
+
+The caressing touch, the tender manner, the earnest, pleading voice
+were too much for Gracie, and, throwing herself down on a chair, she
+buried her face in her arms and sobbed bitterly.
+
+Bessie let her cry for a moment, for the wise little woman knew that
+tears often do one good for a while, and contented herself with giving
+soft touches to Gracie's hair and neck to let her know she was still
+beside her and ready to give her her sympathy.
+
+At last Gracie raised her head and said brokenly, "Oh, Bessie, I am so
+bad! I am so wicked!"
+
+"I don't think being rather--rather--well, rather cross, is so very
+_wicked_," said Bessie, hesitating to give a hard name to Gracie's
+ill-temper, "and if you are sorry now and will come downstairs, we'll
+all be very glad to see you."
+
+"Oh, it isn't that," sobbed Gracie. "Bessie, if you knew what I've
+done, you'd hate me. I know you would."
+
+"No, I wouldn't," said Bessie. "I'd never hate you, Gracie. I'd only be
+sorry for you and try to help you."
+
+"You can't help me. No one can help me," said Gracie, in a fresh
+paroxysm of distress.
+
+"Can't your mamma? Mammas generally can," said Bessie.
+
+"No, not even mamma," answered Gracie. "Oh, Bessie, I do feel as if it
+would be a kind of relief to tell you; but you'd hate me, you couldn't
+help it; and so would every one else."
+
+"Every one else need not know it because you tell me," said Bessie.
+"Tell Jesus, and ask Him to help you, Gracie."
+
+"Even He can't," said Gracie; "at least--at least--not unless I tell
+other people who ought to know it."
+
+"Do you mean He would want you to tell it?"
+
+"Yes, I s'pose so," almost whispered Gracie.
+
+Bessie considered a moment. That Gracie was full of a vain, foolish
+pride and self-conceit, she knew; also that she was not the Gracie of a
+year or two since; but that she would wrong any one she never dreamed,
+and she could not imagine any cause for this great distress.
+
+"Gracie," she said, "I think by what you say that you must have done
+something to me. I can't think what it can be; but I promise not to be
+angry. I will be friends with you all the same."
+
+"It was not you; no, it was not you; but, Bessie, it was such a
+dreadful thing and so mean that you never can bear me after you know
+it. You are so very true yourself."
+
+"Have you told a story?" asked Bessie in a troubled voice.
+
+"Not told a story, but I acted one," sobbed Gracie. "O Bessie! sit down
+here and let me tell you. I can't keep it in any longer. Maybe you'll
+tell me what to do; but I know what you'll say, and I can't do that."
+
+Bessie did as she was requested, and, in as few whispered words as
+possible, Gracie poured her wretched story into her ears.
+
+Bessie sprang to her feet, and her arms which she had clasped about
+Gracie's neck fell away from it. It was as the latter had feared; this
+was so much worse than any thing Bessie had expected, she was herself
+so truthful and upright, that her whole soul was filled with horror and
+dismay. No wonder that Gracie was distressed. This was indeed dreadful.
+
+"I knew it, I knew it," said Gracie, burying her face again. "I knew
+you never could bear me again. It seemed as if I couldn't help telling
+you, Bessie; but you never, never will speak to me again. I wish--I
+wish--oh, I almost wish I was an orphan and had no one to care for me,
+so I could wish I was dead, only I'm too bad to go to God."
+
+Sympathy and pity were regaining their place in Bessie's heart in spite
+of her horror and indignation at what Gracie had done, and once more
+she sat down beside her and tried to soothe and comfort.
+
+She succeeded in part at least. Gracie's sobs grew less violent, and
+she let Bessie persuade her to raise her head. Then they sat side by
+side, Bessie holding her hand.
+
+"What would you do, Bessie?" asked Gracie. "I know I ought to tell, but
+I don't see how I can. It will be such a disgrace, and all the girls
+will have to know, and I've made such a fuss about myself, and always
+thought I never could do any thing that was very bad. And now this."
+
+And now this!
+
+Yes, after all her boasting, after all her self-confidence, her belief
+that she could not and would not fall into greater sin through her own
+conceit and vanity.
+
+Bessie knew all this; knew how confident Gracie had been in her own
+strength; knew what a bitter shame and mortification it must be to
+have this known; knew that it must be long before she could regain the
+trust and respect of her schoolmates after this thing should once be
+told. During the last few months Gracie had lost much of the liking and
+affection of her little friends; but not one among them would have
+believed her capable of deliberate deceit or of that which was not
+strictly honest.
+
+Ah! it was a great and terrible fall. Bessie felt this as well as
+Gracie.
+
+But she knew also that there was but one thing for Gracie to do; but
+one way in which she could have any peace or comfort once more.
+
+Bessie was not the child for Gracie to put confidence in, if she
+expected advice that was not plain and straightforward.
+
+"What _shall_ I do, Bessie?" she repeated.
+
+"I think you'll have to tell, dear," said the pitying little voice
+beside her.
+
+Gracie actually shrank in a kind of terror at the thought; and yet she
+had known that this was what Bessie would say.
+
+"Oh! I can't, I can't; I never can," she moaned.
+
+"But, Gracie, dear," said the little monitress, "I don't think you
+will ever feel happy and comfortable again till you do; and Jesus is
+displeased with you all the time till you do it. If you told about
+it and tried to make it up to Nellie, then He would be pleased with
+you again. And then you could have comfort in that even if people were
+rather cross to you about it. And, Gracie, Maggie and I will not be
+offended with you. I know Maggie will not; and we'll coax the other
+girls not to tease you or be unkind to you about it."
+
+"Don't you think it was so very wicked in me then?" asked Gracie. "O
+Bessie! you are such a good child, I don't believe you ever have wicked
+thoughts. You don't know how hard it is sometimes not to do wrong when
+you want to do it very much,--when a very, very great temptation comes,
+like this."
+
+"Yes," said Bessie, "I think I do, Gracie. And you are very much
+mistaken when you say I never have naughty thoughts. I have them very
+often, and the only way I can make them go is, to ask Jesus to help
+me, and to keep asking Him till they do go, and the temptation too.
+Perhaps, when you had the temptation to do this you did not remember to
+ask."
+
+"No, I did not," said Gracie. "But, Bessie, it never seemed to me that
+I _could_ do a thing that was not quite true and honest. And I suppose
+it has come because I thought too much of myself and wanted too much to
+have my work the best. It was not that I cared about the money, for you
+know that was for Jessie and her grandfather; but I wanted every one to
+say mine was the best; and it made me so mad that any one should say
+Nellie's was better than mine. If I had not cared so very much, Hattie
+would not have persuaded me, for I _did_ know it was horribly mean. You
+never had a temptation like this, Bessie."
+
+"I don't know," said Bessie slowly. "I think I once had one something
+like it. Don't you remember, Gracie, that time you lost your prize
+composition and we found it in the drawer of the hall-table?"
+
+"Yes," answered Gracie, "and how cross I was about it, and how hateful
+to you and Maggie."
+
+"Well," said Bessie, "I had a very hard temptation that time. I found
+the composition first, and I wanted to leave it there and not tell any
+one, 'cause I wanted Maggie to have the prize so much; and at first it
+did not seem so very wrong to me, and I tried to think I _ought_ not to
+tell, because then my own Maggie could have the prize; but I did not
+feel sure about it, so I asked Jesus to let me see what I ought to do,
+and then I saw it quite plain, and knew I must take the composition to
+you. But it was a dreadful temptation, Gracie."
+
+"Yes," said Gracie with a sigh, feeling deeply the difference between
+herself and her dear little playmate who had so bravely resisted
+temptation. For she knew how very anxious Bessie had been that Maggie
+should gain the prize.
+
+"But you did not _do_ the thing you were tempted to do," she said.
+"What would you do if you had, Bessie?"
+
+"I should go right away and tell my mamma; and perhaps she could find
+some way to help me out of it," said Bessie. "Anyway, she ought to
+know, and she will tell you what you ought to do."
+
+"Oh, it will make mamma feel dreadfully," said Gracie. "She was always
+telling me I would fall into trouble some day because I thought too
+much of myself; but, oh, dear! she never could have believed I would do
+this. Wouldn't you feel awfully, Bessie, if you had done it?"
+
+Yes, indeed. Bessie felt that she should; it almost seemed to her that
+she should die if she had such a weight on her mind and conscience, and
+she felt for Gracie most deeply.
+
+But still she knew that Gracie would never feel right again till she
+had made confession, and she once more urged it upon her; confession to
+God and man; and at last Gracie promised.
+
+Promised with many tears and sobs; but that promise once given, she
+became in haste to have it over and to go home to her mamma at once.
+
+"Ask your mamma to let me go home as soon as she can, Bessie," she
+pleaded. "Tell her I do not feel well, for I do not really. My head
+aches and I feel all shaky, as if I could not hold still; and I don't
+want to see any one down stairs again or to have any supper."
+
+Bessie was about to leave her to do as she was asked, when Mrs.
+Bradford came in.
+
+"Gracie and Bessie," she said, "are you here? You were so long in
+coming that I feared something was wrong. Will you not come down and
+have some supper, Gracie?"
+
+Gracie did not speak, but held fast to Bessie's hand.
+
+"Mamma," said the little girl, "Gracie does not feel well, and she
+would like to go home as soon as you could send her. She's quite
+trembling, mamma. I feel her."
+
+Mrs. Bradford took Gracie's hand in hers and found that it was indeed
+cold and trembling, while her temples were hot and throbbing; for
+over-excitement and worry had made her really ill, and the lady saw
+that she was more fit for bed than for the supper-room.
+
+She told Gracie she should go home immediately, and putting on her hat
+led her down stairs, and calling Mr. Bradford, begged him to take the
+poor little girl home and explain matters to her mamma.
+
+Gracie clung to Bessie for a good-night kiss, whispering, "I will do
+it, Bessie; no matter what comes after, I will do it."
+
+Mr. Bradford took her home,--it was not far from his house,--talking
+cheerfully by the way and trying to keep her amused; but, though Gracie
+felt he was kind, she hardly knew what he was saying, her mind was so
+taken up with the thought of the dreadful secret she had to confess.
+
+Mrs. Howard was startled, as was only natural, to see her little girl
+coming home so much before she had expected her; and Mr. Bradford's
+assurance that he did not think there was much wrong with Gracie, and
+that she would be well after a good night's sleep, did not quiet her
+fears, especially when she looked in Gracie's face.
+
+She quickly undressed her and put her to bed; but, longing as Gracie
+was to have her confession over, she could not tell it while the nurse
+was in the room; and it was not until she was safely in bed, and the
+woman sent to prepare some medicine, that she gave vent to the tears
+she had managed to keep back before her.
+
+"There, there, my darling," said her mother soothingly. "You will be
+better soon. Do not be frightened; this is only a little nervousness."
+
+"O mamma, mamma!" cried poor Gracie; "you ought not to be so kind to
+me. You don't know how bad, how very bad I am."
+
+"Is there any thing especially wrong just now, Gracie?" asked her
+mother gently.
+
+"Yes, mamma; oh, yes. I have--I have--put your head closer, mamma, and
+let me whisper;" and then, with her face hidden against her mother's
+shoulder, came the confession, made with many bitter tears and sobs.
+
+Mrs. Howard was greatly shocked; she could hardly speak when she heard
+all.
+
+"Shall you ever be able to forgive me, mamma?" sobbed Gracie. "I know,
+I know you think me perfectly dreadful, but if you could try me just
+this once, and see if I ever do such a thing again. Indeed, I don't
+think I could. I know I am not too good to do it, as I thought I was
+before; but I have felt so dreadfully ever since I did it, I don't
+think I could ever punish myself so again."
+
+"I can believe that you have been very unhappy, my child," said her
+mother; "indeed I have seen it, though I did not know the cause. But
+you have need to ask a higher forgiveness than mine."
+
+"I will, mamma," said Gracie; "but--but--I suppose Nellie and the other
+children must be told?"
+
+"I fear so, Gracie," said her mother. "Nellie must be righted and have
+her own mat again, and I do not see how we are to avoid having the rest
+of the children hear this terrible thing also. I must see Miss Ashton
+in the morning and talk it over with her, and we will arrange what is
+best to be done. But now you must try to be quiet and go to sleep. You
+are over-excited and will be really ill, so I can allow you to talk no
+more. But before you sleep, my child, make your peace with your Father
+in heaven, and ask Him to help you to bear the punishment you have
+brought upon yourself by your naughty pride and ambition."
+
+Gracie obeyed her mother as well as she was able; and, truly repentant,
+we may hope, at last fell into a troubled sleep.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+XII.
+
+_THE FAIR._
+
+
+The next day was Saturday, when there was no school, so that Mrs.
+Howard was able to see Miss Ashton and tell her the sad story, quite
+early in the morning.
+
+Miss Ashton was much grieved and surprised; for, as she told Mrs.
+Howard, although she had known that Gracie's high thoughts of herself
+and belief that she was wiser and better than any of her companions
+often led her into exaggeration, yet she could not have believed her
+capable of any thing that was really mean and dishonorable.
+
+She was distressed, too, at the thought of the exposure and
+mortification which must follow; for it seemed necessary, for Nellie's
+sake, that not only Grandmamma Howard, but the whole school should
+know the truth. She and Mrs. Howard talked it all over for some time,
+but neither of the two ladies saw any way to avoid this disgrace
+for Gracie. They would willingly have spared her the punishment, if
+possible, for she had already suffered severely, and she seemed so
+truly humble and repentant that her mother did not believe there was
+much fear she would again fall into this sin.
+
+Mrs. Howard had thought last night that perhaps she ought to deprive
+Gracie of any share in the fair; but that must make her disgrace
+very well known, and now she hoped that there was no need of further
+punishment to make her see and feel her great fault.
+
+And now Grandmamma Howard must be seen and told the sad story. Mrs.
+Howard knew that she would be much distressed that her kind plan should
+turn out so badly. Neither Gracie's mamma nor Miss Ashton had quite
+approved of that plan; especially on Gracie's account, but they could
+not well say so and cross the good old lady.
+
+It was as they had feared. Grandmamma was very much grieved and
+disturbed to know that what she had intended to be a help and a
+kindness, had only proved a source of trouble, and an encouragement to
+Gracie's besetting sin.
+
+There yet remained to Mrs. Howard the still more painful task of
+telling Nellie how she had been wronged. She would have thought it
+right to make Gracie do this herself, had it not been that the child
+was really ill that morning, and in no state for further excitement;
+and it was not just to Nellie to put off the confession any longer.
+
+Nellie was filled with amazement. Much as she had wondered over the
+unfortunate spot upon the mat she supposed to be hers, she had never
+dreamed of a thing like this, nor had she the least suspicion of the
+truth. Indeed, how should she?
+
+She was a quiet child, with a more wise and thoughtful little head
+than those who did not know her well would have given her credit for;
+but words did not come to her very readily, and, after the first
+surprise was over, she only said to Mrs. Howard, with the tears in her
+eyes,--
+
+"Please tell Gracie I am not angry with her, and hope she will be
+friends with me once more. Let's try not to think about it any more
+than we can help; will you, Mrs. Howard?"
+
+Generous, forgiving Nellie! How ashamed Gracie felt when her mother
+told her this, and she contrasted Nellie's conduct with her own.
+
+She lay upon her little bed that afternoon, feeling wretched both
+in mind and body, though it was a relief to remember that she had
+confessed all to mamma, and that she had set her face toward the right
+way once more, when Mrs. Howard came in bringing Nellie with her.
+
+Poor Gracie gave a low sob, and covered her face with her hands in
+utter shame and distress, feeling as if she could not bear to have
+Nellie look at her.
+
+But in a moment Nellie was beside her, saying,--
+
+"Don't, Gracie; please don't. You needn't feel so very badly about it
+now. I don't care much, and we'll make it all up."
+
+"Oh, Nellie, Nellie! I don't deserve you to be so kind to me," sobbed
+Gracie. "I was so hateful to you and so jealous, and it seemed as if I
+could not bear to have you go before me in any thing. I know I've been
+just too hateful to you."
+
+"Well, never mind now," said Nellie.
+
+Mrs. Howard had gone out and left the two children together.
+
+"I can't help minding," said Gracie; "and, only think, Nellie, all
+the other girls in the school will have to know, and it will shame me
+almost to death. I hope, I hope mamma will never make me go back to
+school, and I mean to stay away from the fair, any way."
+
+"That is what I came to see you about," said Nellie. "The girls need
+not know, Gracie. You see my--your--the mat with the ink-spot on it is
+nearly finished now, so I have done about as much work on one as on the
+other. And I don't care so very much about having mine called the best,
+for the money will do Jessie and her grandfather just as much good, no
+matter who earns it. So if each of us finishes the one she has now, it
+will be all the same, and the rest of the children need never know it.
+I am sure, Gracie, I should feel just as you do, and never want to come
+back to school again or see any of our class if I had done this, and I
+know just how badly you must feel. So I thought about it, and it seemed
+to me it would come right again if we just went on with the work as if
+this had not been found out; I mean if you had not told. I'd rather no
+one would know it but just those who know now. Don't you think we could
+arrange it so, Gracie? Your mother gave me leave to tell you this, and
+says she would be very glad for you if it can be done, and she thinks
+Miss Ashton will be willing."
+
+To hear the earnest, wistful voice one might have supposed that
+generous, great-hearted Nellie was pleading for some great boon for
+herself.
+
+But she could not tell all that Gracie felt. No, indeed; she did not
+know what coals of fire she was heaping on her head; how perfectly
+humbled and remorseful she felt as she remembered all the hard thoughts
+she had cherished toward her; the unkind words and unjust actions of
+which she had been guilty; all forgotten now, it seemed, by Nellie, who
+was only anxious to make the path of repentance as easy as possible to
+her, and to avoid all unnecessary shame and exposure to the one who had
+so greatly injured her.
+
+With many sobs and broken words she told Nellie all that was in her
+heart, beseeching her forgiveness, and thanking her over and over for
+her consideration and sweet thoughtfulness; not that she put it in just
+such words, but in those that were very simple and very touching to
+Nellie.
+
+So peace was made between them,--a peace that was sure to be lasting
+and true where there was such sincere repentance on one side, such good
+will and hearty forgiveness on the other.
+
+Grandmamma Howard was only too glad on Gracie's account to accept
+Nellie's generous proposal.
+
+Miss Ashton also agreed that the matter should go no further, and so
+it was arranged, and further disgrace to Gracie avoided, although the
+weight of shame and remorse was not readily lifted from her heart, and
+she felt as if her schoolmates must know her secret and that she dared
+scarcely look them in the face.
+
+They all wondered at the new humility and modesty which she now began
+to show; but the change was an agreeable one, and drew forth no unkind
+remarks.
+
+A prettier sight than Miss Ashton's garden and piazza on that lovely
+June afternoon when the long-talked-of fair took place, would have been
+hard to find. Kind friends had decked the spot tastefully; flowers
+were everywhere in abundance; the tables conveniently and becomingly
+arranged; and the display of articles upon them was not only tempting,
+but such as had been manufactured by the children did them wonderful
+credit. Flags, ribbons, wreaths, and festoons, all joined to make the
+scene gay; and in and out, among and below them flitted the white-robed
+"little sunbeams," who lent the fairest life and brightness to the
+scene.
+
+"Sunbeams" they all were that day, indeed. No cloud appeared to darken
+their happiness, no ill-temper, jealousy, or desire to outvie one
+another was heard or seen. Even Gracie and Hattie, who were each rather
+oppressed with the sense of past naughtiness, and the feeling of what
+the others would say and think if they knew all, could not but be
+bright and gay amid this pleasant companionship.
+
+Gracie had told Hattie that she had confessed her sin to her mother,
+and the latter knew that some share of blame must have fallen to her;
+so, although she did not look upon it in as serious a light as Gracie
+did, she had an uncomfortable and conscious feeling. Miss Ashton had
+talked to her more seriously than she had ever done before, and had
+also informed her parents of what had taken place, telling them that
+she did not wish to disgrace Hattie, and so, as it was near the close
+of school, she would not ask them to remove her now; but that she could
+not take her back in the fall. Hattie's utter disregard of truth had
+already brought too much trouble into her little flock for her to risk
+any further mischief from that source.
+
+Hattie's parents had been much mortified and displeased, and the child
+herself had been severely punished; but I doubt if the punishment had
+been altogether just; for how was the child who saw equivocation and
+deceit used at home as a means of family government when convenience
+demanded it, to learn the value of the jewel thus sullied, or to judge
+of the line where it was believed that falsehood must stop and truth
+and uprightness begin?
+
+As for generous Nellie, she seemed to have no recollection of what had
+passed, unless it was in the new and caressing tenderness of her manner
+toward Gracie; not a patronizing manner, but one full of encouragement
+and helpfulness.
+
+The other children wondered not only at Gracie's new gentleness and
+modesty, but also at the sudden intimacy which seemed to have sprung up
+between these two.
+
+"Maybe," said Lily privately, "it is because Gracie is learning to
+think better of herself"--which was just the opposite from what Lily
+meant--"and Nellie's trying to help her."
+
+"Yes," said Maggie; "perhaps Gracie is learning it is 'never too late
+to mend,' which would make her much more agreeable, and other people
+would think more of her. I do think she is improved."
+
+Maggie had yielded not alone to the persuasions of Miss Ashton, but
+also to an earnest appeal from Gracie, and accepted once more the
+title of Queen. And very well she became it, standing in front of her
+throne--which she could not be persuaded to occupy--within the pretty
+bower into which one end of the piazza had been turned, according to
+her ideas. Bessie, Belle, and Lily were her "maids of honor," and
+helped her to sell the bouquets and baskets of flowers with which she
+was bountifully supplied; and they drove a thriving trade; for so many
+sweet smiles, bright looks, and winning words went with the flowers
+that the stock within the "Queen's Bower" was much in demand. She had
+her band of music too, for half a dozen canary-birds hung within and
+around the bower, and, excited by the laughter and chatter about them,
+seemed to try which could sing the loudest and sweetest.
+
+Jessie's parrot was on exhibition, lent by his present owner for the
+occasion, down in the old summer-house at the end of the garden, where
+Jessie herself took the ten cents admission fee, and made him display
+all his accomplishments.
+
+And the Doll! She must have a capital letter to do justice to her
+perfections. Of all the dolls that ever were seen or heard or thought
+of, that doll surely took the lead. It would be of no use for me to
+describe her or her toilet, for if you should ever see her, you would
+surely tell me that I had not told one half.
+
+It was nearly the hour at which the fair was "to begin," and the
+children were all gathered about the table on which she was displayed,
+when there came a ring at the front door-bell.
+
+Away fluttered every little saleswoman to her appointed stand, hoping
+that this might be the first customer.
+
+And so it proved; for it was no less a person than old Mrs. Howard, who
+had purposely timed her arrival so that she might be there before any
+other person.
+
+"Well, my dears," she said, looking round upon the smiling young faces
+about her, "this is a pretty sight. And, industrious as I know you have
+been, and kind as your friends have been, I should hardly have thought
+it possible that you should have made such a fine show on your tables.
+But you know I have some especial business with you, and I have come
+early that we may have it over before the rush begins."
+
+This was very encouraging. Mrs. Howard thought it probable they would
+have "a rush" of customers, and who should know better than she?
+
+"You remember I offered six prizes for different articles to be worked
+for me," continued the old lady, "but there are only four finished,
+as you know. My little grand-daughter, Gracie, felt that she had not
+displayed a proper spirit about them, and she decided not to finish
+hers for the fair, but to leave it and complete it for me afterwards."
+
+This had been Gracie's own proposal to her mother and grandmother,
+and they had allowed her to have her own way, thinking that this
+willingness to put herself behind the others, and to give up even the
+show of strife with Nellie, told of a spirit of true repentance, as
+indeed it did. When the other children had asked with much surprise
+where her mat was, she had answered quietly that she could not finish
+it. This had not proved any loss to the fair, because the time she
+would have devoted to the mat had been given to other articles.
+
+"Here, then," continued Mrs. Howard, "are two toilet sets and two mats
+for me to judge between. Of the latter, the one Nellie Ransom brings is
+certainly the best in point of work; but it has unfortunately received
+a bad ink-stain. Now those of us who know Nellie are very sure that
+this has not come through any neglect or carelessness of her own, and
+since she did not do it herself it seems hard that she should suffer
+for it. I should be quite willing to overlook it, for this is really
+the best piece of work among the four; but I cannot do so unless the
+others are willing. Those among you who think Nellie ought not to be a
+loser by this misfortune, raise your hands."
+
+Instantly every little hand was raised, and if one were before another
+it was Gracie's.
+
+"Very well; that is satisfactory," said Mrs. Howard. "Nellie, my dear,
+here are ten dollars for your mat, the first money taken in for your
+fair. The second sum, I think, must go to Maggie's toilet set--ah!
+yes, Maggie's and Bessie's, I should have said," as she saw the look
+which Maggie turned upon her sister, as if wishing that she should have
+her full share of credit--"the third to Dora's mat, and the fourth
+to Hattie's toilet set. You are all satisfied, I trust, with this
+arrangement."
+
+There was a murmur of assent, and this part of the business was settled.
+
+"And now," said Mrs. Howard, "I want to say that I think I made a
+mistake in offering these rates of prices, and so exciting you to
+outvie one another. I meant to give you a motive for trying to improve
+yourselves, but I believe it was not a good principle to set you thus
+one against the other, and I know that it has led to some hard feeling
+and unkindness. But that, I trust, is now all healed, and I shall take
+care not to put such temptation in your way again."
+
+The children all thought they knew what Mrs. Howard meant, and with
+true courteousness they all avoided looking at Gracie.
+
+But this was as much as was ever known by any of them, save the two
+or three who had been in the secret, of Gracie's temptation and fall.
+That she had been jealous and unkind to Nellie, they had all seen; that
+she had gone further and been led into deceit and meanness, they never
+heard. Hattie, for her own sake, held her peace for once; and penitent
+Gracie had not to face the scorn and wonder of all her schoolmates.
+
+After this Mrs. Howard went about from table to table, purchasing
+not only one article, but generally two or three, from each little
+saleswoman; but she said she would not remove them till the fair was
+over, so that they might still add to the appearance of their tables.
+They were all marked SOLD in enormous, staring letters, that there
+might be no possibility of mistake.
+
+And now, customer after customer began to flock in, and among the
+earlier arrivals came Mr. Powers, who was immediately seized upon by
+Belle, and led to the table where the baby doll lay in her glory.
+
+Now it had been announced that whoever offered the highest price for
+this famous infant was to have her, and it was not to be told till the
+close of the fair who had done this. The names of would-be purchasers,
+with the amount each offered, were written down by Miss Annie Stanton,
+who still held the doll in charge, lest too eager little hands should
+mar her beauties.
+
+"Please offer a whole lot, papa; I do want her so," said Belle. "Isn't
+she lovely? Did you ever see such a doll?"
+
+Mr. Powers expressed all the admiration he thought needful, which
+did not nearly satisfy Belle, who was only half consoled by what she
+thought a want of proper interest by Maggie's whispered assurance that
+men "never did appreciate dolls, and it was quite useless to expect it
+of them. It did not seem to be born in them."
+
+However, Mr. Powers put down his name and the sum he would give, which
+last remained for the present a secret between him and Miss Annie
+Stanton.
+
+Mamie Stone was as eager about the doll as Belle, and her mamma was
+called upon also to offer a high price for the treasure.
+
+But my "Sunbeam" would lengthen itself far beyond its sister rays if
+I should tell you all that took place at the fair. Enough to say that
+it was a great success, and that a sum was taken in that was more
+than sufficient to purchase Jessie's parrot back and to provide a
+comfortable home for herself and her grandfather for at least a year to
+come. That is, with what the little girl might hope to make herself by
+the further sale of her wares.
+
+Evening came, bringing with it the great interest of the day, the
+announcement of the munificent purchaser of the doll, and every little
+heart beat high with hope that it might be some friend of her own, who
+would bestow the coveted prize upon her.
+
+It proved to be Grandmamma Howard.
+
+Belle stood in an agony of expectation, squeezing her father's hand and
+scarcely breathing in the hush that came before the name was spoken;
+and when she heard "Mrs. Howard," a rush of color dyed her face, and a
+look of blank disappointment overspread it. She looked up and caught
+her father's gaze fixed anxiously upon her. She dashed her little hand
+across her eyes to scatter the tears that would well up, and, forcing a
+smile, said with a trembling lip, "Never mind, papa, you meant me to
+have it, so it was just as good of you."
+
+Her father stooped and kissed her, rejoicing in her sweetness and
+determined good temper. A little more than a year since, a tempest
+of tears and sobs would have broken from his over-indulged child;
+but now she had learned to control herself and to be contented and
+pleasant even when things did not go quite her own way. She was all
+smiles and brightness again in a few minutes, nearly consoled for her
+disappointment by her papa's caress and his few whispered words of
+blessing.
+
+All believed that Gracie or one of her little sisters would be
+presented with the doll by her grandmother; and great, therefore, was
+the amazement of the circle of young friends when the next day it was
+rumored, then made certain, that Mrs. Howard had sent it to Nellie
+Ransom.
+
+Every child wondered "why," and so did more than one grown person; for
+the Howards and the Ransoms were not, as Maggie said, "very intimate,
+and it was rather surprising Mrs. Howard should think of giving such a
+present to Nellie. But she seems to have taken a great fancy to her,
+and Nellie quite deserves it," she added.
+
+"I wonder if she gave it to her because of the mat," said Mamie Stone.
+
+"I think it was because she is such a serious child," said Lily. "I
+find old people like _seriosity_, and Nellie has a great deal of it."
+
+So they judged, these little ones. Nellie, gentle, unobtrusive "little
+sunbeam" that she was, went on her quiet way, shedding light and warmth
+in many an unsuspected nook and corner, and bringing now and then some
+hidden seed to blossom in beauty and fragrance.
+
+Only one of her schoolmates ever suspected that it was her thoughtful
+care for Gracie's character and feelings, her sweet forgiving spirit
+which led her to forget past injuries, which had won for her the gift
+of the much coveted doll, and given her a high place in the love and
+admiration of the few who knew all the story.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+     Cambridge: Press of John Wilson and Son.
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:
+
+Obvious printer errors have been corrected. Otherwise, the author's
+original spelling, punctuation and hyphenation have been left intact.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jessie's Parrot, by Joanna Mathews
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