LITTLE PRUDY'SDOTTY DIMPLE

_By_SOPHIE MAY

NEW YORKHURST & COMPANYPUBLISHERS

[Illustration]

DEDICATION. 

TO

Little Nelly Clarke. 

CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER PAGE I. DOTTY'S BABYHOOD 7 II. THE BONE MAN 31 III. DOTTY'S VERSES 36 IV. THE NESTLINGS 52 V. FANNY HARLOW'S PARTY 65 VI. THE LITTLE TEACHER 83 VII. BOTH SIDES OF A STORY 98VIII. THE WATER-KELPIE 117 IX. BROTHER ZIP 137 X. DR. PRUDY 154 XI. BUYING A BROTHER 173 XII. A WEDDING 189

DOTTY DIMPLE. 

CHAPTER I. 

DOTTY'S BABYHOOD. 

Alice was the youngest of the Parlin family. When Grandma Read calledthe children into the kitchen, and told them about their new littlesister, Susy danced for joy; and Prudy, in her delight, opened thecellar door, and fell down the whole length of the stairs. However, sherolled as softly as a pincushion, and was not seriously hurt. 

"But you can't go into mother's room, " said Susy, "you're crying sohard. "

"Poh!" replied three-years-old Prudy, twinkling off the tears; "yes, Ican neither. I won't go _crying_ in! I didn't hurt me velly bad. I'mweller now!"

So she had the first peep at the wee dot of a baby in the nurse's arms. 

"O, dear, dear, " said she, "what shall I do? I _are_ so glad! I wish Icould jump clear up to the _sky_ of this room! How do you do, littlesister?"

The baby made no reply. 

"Why! don't you love me? This is _me_: my name's Prudy. I've got a redpocket dress;--Santa Claw bringed it. "

Still the little stranger paid no heed, --only winked her small, brighteyes, and at last closed them entirely. 

"O, my stars! she don't hear the leastest thing, " sobbed Prudy, glad ofan excuse to cry again. "She can't hear the leastest mite of a thing!Where's the holes in her ears gone to? O, dear, dear!"

It seemed to Susy that this was the happiest day of her life. She stoleup to her mother and kissed her. "O, mamma, " said she, "wasn't God goodto send this little sister?--Why, I'm crying, " added Susy, greatlysurprised: "what do you suppose makes me cry, when I'm happy allover--clear to the ends of my fingers?"

"Yes, your eyes are sprinklin' down tears, but you're laughing all overyour face; and so 'm I, " said little Prudy, delighted to see some oneelse as foolish as herself. 

"Susan, I hope thee'll receive this new sister as a gift from God, " saidgrandma Read, wiping her spectacles. 

"It seems so funny, " said Susy, gently stroking the baby's face; "sofunny for me to have a new sister. "

"Now you've tolled a story, Susy Parlin; she was sended to me, --isn't Ithe littlest?" cried bruised and battered Prudy, shaking with anothertempest of tears, and kissing the baby violently. 

"O, mamma! O, grandma, " said Susy, clasping her hands in alarm, "don'tlet her kiss that soft baby so hard! She'll draw the blood rightthrough her cheeks. "

The nurse who was a smiling woman, with a wart on her nose, began tofrown a little, and grandma Read, patting Prudy's head, whispered to herthat if she did not stop crying she must leave the room, as the noiseshe made disturbed her mother. 

"Then I'll--I'll be--just as good as a lady, and I won't kiss her nomore, " replied little Prudy between her sobs, at the same time pryingopen baby's mouth with her busy fingers. 

"Why, where's her teef? When you goin' to put in her teef?"

"O, " said Susy, in an ecstasy, "isn't she such a velvet darling? Whatcunning little footsie-tootsies! Shaped just like a flatiron! But Ihaven't seen her eyes yet. "

"There, look now, " said Prudy, puffing in the baby's face; "her eyes hascame! I've _blowed_ 'em open. "

"O, fie, Miss Prudy, " said the nurse, biting her lips; "now you'llcertainly have to leave the room. It's not safe for you to come nearthis tiny bit of a baby. Nobody ever knows what you are likely to donext. "

Little Prudy hung her head in great dismay. 

"Then, if she goes, I'll have to go too, or there'll be a fuss, " sighedSusy, stroking the baby's hair, which was as soft as a mouse's fur. 

Both children cast a lingering look at the bewitching little figure, sodaintily wrapped in a fleecy blanket. Prudy felt tempted to snatch herup and give her a good hugging, but stood in mortal fear of the nurse. There was something awful about Mrs. Fling: Prudy presumed it was thewart on her nose. 

When the children were outside the door, and grandma had closed itgently, they seated themselves on the upper step of the staircase, andbegan to talk over this strange affair. 

"Don't you know what made me cry in there?" said Prudy. "The baby isn'tonly a _girl_, and that's why I cried. "

For the moment Prudy fancied she was telling the truth. 

Susy laughed. "Just to think of our keeping a boy in THIShouse, Prudy Parlin!"

"O, no! _course_ not!" returned her little sister, quickly; "_we_wouldn't keep a boy. "

"You see, " argued Susy, "it's boys that fires all the popguns, andwhistle in your ears, and frighten you. Why, if this was a brother, wecouldn't but just live! What made you cry for a brother, Prudy?"

"Poh, I didn't! I wouldn't have him for nothin' in my world! I'm gladGod sended a girl, and that's what made me _laugh_. "

"It seems so queer to think of it Prudy, I don't know what to do withmyself, I declare. "

"Well, I know what _I'm_ goin' to do. I'll give her my redpocket-dress. She's come clear down from God's house, and this is adrefful cold world. "

Susy knew that little Prudy's heart must be overflowing with sisterlylove to the baby, or she would not be willing to give her thepocket-dress. 

"She can tuck her candy in it, " pursued Prudy; "'tisn't a believe-make, you know; there's a hole clear through. She can tuck her candy in, andher pyunes and pfigs, and teenty apples. Oho!"

"'Twill be as mother says about giving her your dress, Prudy; but weshall be glad to see you kind to the new sister, " said Susy, who wasfond of giving small lectures to Prudy. "We ought to be kind to her, for God sent her down on purpose. Of course it will be ME thatwill take the most care of her; but maybe they'll let you watch hersometimes when she's asleep. Don't blow open her eyes any more, Prudy;that's very naughty. If we do just as we ought to, and are kind to her, she'll be a comfort, and grow up a lady!"

"O, will she?" asked Prudy, a little sadly. "I thought when she growedup she'd be a gemplum, like papa. "

"What an idea! But that's just as much sense as you little bits o'children have! When you don't know about anything, Prudy, you may comeand ask _me_; I'm most six. "

The new baby was very wonderful indeed. The first thing she did was tocry; the next was to sneeze. Prudy wished "all the people down street, and all the ladies that lived in the whole o' the houses, could see thenew sister. " Her heart swelled with pride when admiring ladies took theunconscious little creature in their arms, saying, "Really, it is aremarkably pretty child. What starry eyes! What graceful little fingers!Isn't her mouth shaped like Prudy's?"

Mrs. Parlin did not approve of cradles, and the nurse had a fashion ofrolling the baby in a blanket and laying her down in all sorts ofplaces. One day little Prudy flung herself into the big rocking chair, not noticing the small bundle which lay there, under a silkhandkerchief. 

It was feared at first that the baby was crushed to death; but when shewas heard to cry, Mrs. Parlin said, "We have great cause forthankfulness. So far as I can judge, it is only her _nose_ that isbroken!"

But the doctor pronounced the baby's bones as sound as ever. 

"It is only little Miss Prudy whose nose is out of joint, " added he. 

Prudy ran to look in the glass, but could not see anything the matterwith her nose, or anything that looked like "a joint. " But after thisshe was as careful as a child of her heedless age can be, not to injureher tender sister. She never again saw a silk handkerchief withoutshaking it to make sure there was not a baby under it. 

It was a long while before the friends could decide upon a name for thisbeautiful stranger. 

"For my part I have no choice, " said Mr. Parlin, "and only one remark tomake; call the child by her right name, whatever it may be, for I amvery much opposed to pet names, of all sorts. "

After every one else had spoken, Mrs. Parlin suggested that she wouldlike to call the baby Alice Barrow, in honor of a dear friend, now inheaven. 

She grew to be a fair, fat baby; and while her teeth were prickingthrough, like little pointed pearls, Susy's front teeth were droppingout. Then she grew to be a toddling child; and while she was learning towalk, Prudy was beginning to sew patchwork. For time does not standstill; it passed, minute by minute, over the heads of Susy, Prudy, andAlice, as well as all the rest of the world. And soon it brought an endto Alice's babyhood. 

CHAPTER II. 

THE BONE MAN. 

In spite of all Mr. Parlin had said against it, his little daughter wascalled by various pet names, --such as Midge, and Ladybird, andForget-me-not. Very few were the people who seemed to remember that hername was Alice. 

She had a pair of busy dimples, which were a constant delight to hersisters. 

"They twinkle, twinkle like little stars, only they don't shine, " criedPrudy. 

"Why, " said Susy, "it's just as if her cheeks were made of water, andwe were skipping pebbles in 'em. "

And because of these tiny whirl pools, the child was usually calledDotty Dimple. From the time she could stand on her own little feet, shewas a queen of a baby, and carried her small head very high. If shechanced to fall over a chair she seldom shed a tear, but thought thechair had treated her shamefully, and ought to be shut up in the closet. She never liked to have any one kiss her little bruises and pity her. Itgave great offence if any one said, "Poor Alice!" She seemed to growhalf a head taller in a minute, and looked as if she would say, "Needn'tmake a baby o' _me_!"

Not that she really said so. Talking was a thing she did not oftenattempt, though she sang a great deal, with a voice as clear as a flute. Prudy mourned because her tongue "did not grow fast enough. " But wherewas the need of speech? If she fancied she would like to be tossed tothe "sky of the room, " she had only to pat her father's arm, and pointupward, and the next minute she was flying to the ceiling, in high glee, and catching her breath. If she wished to go walking, it was enough topoint to the door, and then to her hat. Her little forefinger was asgood as most people's tongues, and served as a tolerably goodguide-post, for it pointed the way she meant to go herself, and the wayshe wished others to go. 

One day, while Mrs. Parlin was making currant jelly, she allowed Prudyto stay in the kitchen, and see her strain the beautiful crimson juice. But as for Alice, she had been found pounding eggs in a mortar, and mustbe taken away. She was placed in care of Susy, who led her out upon thepiazza, where she could watch the people passing by. "_Pedadder!_" criedAlice, showing her dimples. "Yes, _piazza_; so it is, " said carelessSusy, beginning to read a fairy story, and soon forgetting her quietlittle charge. 

Looking up at last, there was nothing to be seen of Alice. She could nothave entered the house, for the front-door knob was above her reach. 

Susy ran out upon the pavement, and looked up and down the street. Which way to go she could not tell, but started down street at fullspeed. "O, I'm sure I ought to be going _up street_, " gasped she; "andif I was, I shouldn't think _that_ was right either. Wish I knew whichway I should _expect_ Dotty to go, and then I'd know she'd gone just theother way. "

After flitting hither and thither for some time, Susy ran home to givethe alarm. Without stopping to remove the jelly from the stove, Mrs. Parlin, Norah, and Prudy ran out of doors, and taking differentdirections, started in search of the missing child. 

On High Street Prudy met a soap-man, just reentering his wagon at someone's door. 

"O, have you seen my little sister?" cried Prudy, pressing her handagainst her heart. 

"Your little sister? And who may that be?" said the soap-man, in a deepwhisper; for he had such a severe cold on his lungs that for six monthshe had not spoken a loud word. 

"O, her name is Alice Wheelbarrow Parlin, sir, " whispered Prudy, inreply; "and she had on a pink dress, and her hair curls down her neck, and she has the brightest eyes, and two years and a half of age, sir. O, where _do_ you s'pose she's gone to?"

In her concern for Dotty, Prudy had forgotten her usual fear ofstrangers. 

"I'm sorry you've lost your sister, " whispered the soap-man; "but as youseem to be pretty well tired out, suppose you jump into my cart andride with me. "

Prudy wondered why the man still kept whispering, but presumed there wassome reason why the loss of Dotty aught to be kept secret. She looked atthe long lumber-wagon, partly filled with barrels, and was on the pointof replying, "No, thank you, sir, " when a bright idea occurred to her. 

"Do you s'pose, sir, I can get to my sister any quicker if I ride?"

"Well, can't say as to that, my dear, " whispered the soap-man, shoving abarrel to one side, "seeing as I don't know where your sister's to befound; but there's one thing certain--you'll get over the ground a gooddeal quicker riding than you would on your feet. I'm going to PearlStreet before I stop. "

"Then I'll ride, sir, if you'll please lift me in, " whispered poorPrudy, trembling with fear of the uncouth wagon and strange man, yetresolved to risk anything for Dotty's sake. 

There was no seat in the wagon, and Prudy was obliged to stand up. 

"Hold on to me, sissy, " said the kind-hearted soap-boiler. "I reckon youain't used to riding in this kind of shape. Why, lawful sakes, your faceis as white as a pond-lily!"

"It's my heart, " whispered Prudy, faintly; "it _whisks_ just like theeggs Norah beats in a bowl. But it's no matter, sir; I don't think I'mafraid, --or only a little speck, " added she, in a lower whisper; for, though anxious to be polite, she did not mean to tell anything but the"white truth. "

The little girl's gentle ways won the soap-boiler's heart at once. "What's your fathers name, little dear?" inquired he, as they wentclattering through the streets. 

"His name is Mr. Edward Parlin. --But O, I don't see a single thing ofDotty!"

"Dotty! Why, who is Dotty?" asked the man, turning about, and gazing athis little passenger with a look of curiosity. 

"Why, Mr. --, why, _sir_, don't you know?" replied the child, struck witha sudden fear that her strange companion was a crazy man. "O, my stars!don't you know what you took me up for? Didn't you hear? My littlesister ran off the piazza. " Then Prudy repeated the words aloud, slowlyand on a high key, anxious this time to make her meaning very clear. "She--ran--off--the--piazza, with a pink dress on, sir, and not aspeck--of--a--hat. And I was stirring jelly on the stove, and never knewit till she was lost and gone. And we're all hunting, --me, and--mother, and--all. I thought you knew, sir; but if you didn't I guess I'd betterget out!"

The good-natured soap-man shook with laughter. "Excuse me, little miss, "said he, "but the fact is, I understood you to say your sister's namewas Alice Wheelbarrow Parlin, and that's why I was puzzled to know whoyou meant by Dotty. --But here we are at Pearl Street. Here, in thishouse, lives one of my best customers. Now, if you like, I'll lift youout, and you can go with me and inquire for your little sister. Then youcan ride again, for I'm going as far as Munjoy. "

So saying, the man took Prudy out in his arms. She knew it was ratherodd for a little girl like her to be going around to people's back doorswith a stranger in a blue blouse; but it was all for Dotty's sake. 

The man knocked with the handle of his whip, and a neat-looking servantgirl appeared. 

"Have you seen anything of a stray child?" was his first question. 

"My little sister, " cried Prudy, in breathless haste. "She had on a pinkdress, and curls bareheaded. "

"We have seen no such child pass this way, " replied the girl, civilly. Prudy's eager face fell. 

"I supposed likely as not you hadn't, " said the soap-man; "so now we'llproceed to business. You see I'm here with my wagon and barrels, and Isuppose you perceive that I've come for your bones!"

These whispered words fell on Prudy's ears with terrible force. A vagueterror seized her. "_I've come for your bones!_" What could he mean? Washe an ogre, right out of a fairy-book? What did he want of that poorwoman's bones?

Without stopping to think twice, Prudy ran off with trembling haste, andby the time the astonished soap-boiler missed her she had reachedCongress Street, and was still running. 

The first thing she saw, as she entered her own door, was the flutteringof Dotty's pink dress. The runaway was safe and sound. She had onlytoddled off after a man with a basket of images, calling out, "baa, baa, " "moo, moo, " "bow-wow. " The end of it was, that the image man hadgiven her a toy lamb, for which she had said, "How do, " instead of thankyou; and Florence Eastman had led her home. 

Susy was heartily ashamed of her heedlessness. 

"Now, mother, " said she, "do you think, if I should be kept on bread andwater for a whole day, I should learn to remember? You'll never trustDotty with me again. "

"Ah, " said Mrs. Parlin, with a meaning smile; "the trouble is, Susy, you've made up your mind that your memory is good for nothing: you_expect_ to forget! I _shall_ trust you again, and you must fullyresolve to do better. "

Dotty was very proud of her "baa, baa, " and insisted upon putting it inher bathing tub every morning, and scrubbing it with her own hands. 

Everybody laughed at Prudy's wild story of the soap-boiler. 

"We were tired, my feet and I, " said she, between laughing and crying;"but I never'd have rode with that whispering man if I'd known he was a_bone man_!"

CHAPTER III. 

DOTTY'S VERSES. 

By the time Alice Parlin was three years old she could prattle like abobolink, and thought herself quite as old and wise as either of hersisters. Every Sunday morning it made her very wretched to see Susy andPrudy set out, with bright faces, for Sabbath school!

"Mayn't me go, too?" said she, plaintively. "Me's got the coop; _must_go to Sabber school!"

"O, " replied Prudy, snatching a kiss from her pouting lips, "if you'vegot the croup you certainly can't go. "

Dotty shook her curls. "Coop's went off now. Dotty'll go, all o' _you_. "

"O, no, little sister; you'll stay at home and look at your pictures. That's the way _I_ did when I was little. "

"You mustn't _contraspute_, " cried Dotty, shaking her elbows. "I _is_goin' to Sabber school. " Then suddenly showing her dimples, she addedwith a bright smile, "'Cause I's your comfort, you know, Prudy, yourdarlin', precious little comfort; isn't I, Prudy?"

"Dear me, " thought tender Prudy, "the poor little thing always has tostay at home. I'll ask mother to let her go with me next time. It isright for me to ask, for I'm sure I don't _want_ her to go; so it isn'tselfish!"

Mrs. Parlin had a great many doubts as to Dotty's good behavior, but atlast consented. She felt pretty safe to trust her with Prudy, who wasvery patient, and had even now a memory longer than Susy's. 

Before the time came to start for Sabbath school, Dotty stood a longwhile before the mirror, looking up at her gay hat and down at hercunning gaiters. She liked nice clothes, and it pleased her to seeherself so prettily dressed. 

"Is that you, O you darlin' Dotty?" said she, nodding her vain littlehead, and smiling till her dimples "twinkled. " "Well, good by, Dotty;I's goin' to Sabber school. "

"O, hurry, hurry!" cried Susy; "we'll surely be late. "

They stepped out upon the pavement, Dotty walking between her sisters. 

"We can't hurry, you know, " said Prudy, "because Dotty's feet are solittle. "

"_I_ never should have thought of bringing her, " exclaimed Susy. "Anyone would think she'd been eating snails. When she takes up her foot sheshakes it before she puts it down. "

"O, what a 'tory!" said Dotty Dimple, tossing her head. "I never shakedmy foot; did I, Prudy?"

But Prudy had suddenly turned about, and gone back to the house, sayingshe had forgotten something. She had left home without kissing hermother good by, and nothing could console Prudy for the loss of one ofher mother's caresses. 

"There, girls, I'm back again, " said she, catching her breath. "Now, Dotty, let's we see how fast we can walk. "

"Drefful dirty, " said Dotty, scowling at her overshoes. 

"Yes, " replied Susy, "this snow has been round on the ground a goodwhile. It's most time it went back to heaven to get clean. "

"What do you mean by snow's going to heaven?" said Prudy, gazing at thestreet, which was half white and half black. 

"Why, you see, " answered Susy, "it says, 'God scattereth the snow likewool, and his hoar-frost like the shining pearls. ' And my Sabbath schoolteacher tells us that after a while the sun draws it back, and makesclouds of it, as 'twas before. So, you see, the snow and the rain keepsprinkling down, and then rising up to the sky again. "

"Why--ee!" said Prudy; "how does the snow go up? I never saw it going. "

"Indeed you have, Prudy. It goes puffing up in fog. Why, it's just as ifthe snow was a teakettle, and it keeps steaming out clouds. "

"O, does it, Susy? Now, when it fogs, I shall know the snow's going up. "

"Please don't talk any more, " returned Susy, suddenly lowering hervoice; "we must be very quiet on the street, for it's Sunday. You don'tmean any harm, Prudy, but you say so much that I'm afraid I shall forgetmy lesson. I keep saying it over to myself, you know. "

Susy and Prudy belonged in different classes. Susy recited from aquestion book, and Prudy learned verses from the Bible. Dotty Dimplewent with Prudy into Miss Carlisle's class, where eight or ten littlegirls were already seated. 

"It's my little sister, Miss Carlisle, " whispered blushing Prudy. "Mother allowed her to come to-day because she isn't coming any more. Will you please excuse her?"

Smiling, Miss Carlisle was very willing to "excuse" Dotty for her sweetsister's sake. But Prudy felt rather nervous. She made a place besideherself for Dotty, who folded her small hands and sat as still as amarble cherub; but what odd thing she might take it into her busy brainto do, no one could tell. 

When Prudy's turn came she repeated her verse: "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: keep the door of my lips. "

"An excellent text, " said Miss Carlisle. "It would make me very happy ifI thought you would remember it all your life, darling. Do you think youunderstand it?"

"Mother says it means, 'Be careful to say only what is true and good, '"replied Prudy, in a low voice. 

"That is right, " said Miss Carlisle; "but do you understand what iscalled the 'figure of speech' in the verse? Do you know what a watchis?"

"A little thing that ticks. "

"There is another kind, my dear. We have in cities _watchmen_, to guardus and see that all goes right while we sleep. "

"O, I know, " replied Prudy, quickly; "the verse asks God to give us a_conscience_ to walk back and forth before our lips while we talk!"

Miss Carlisle went on to say more about the watch, while Dotty fixed herbright eyes on her face, thinking, "What booful flowers those is in herbonnet! Where did she pick 'em?"

The next verse was Sadie Bicknell's:--

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. "

Dotty listened to this, and Miss Carlisle's remarks upon it, with themost solemn earnestness, hoping to learn why it was that people shouldsit with a lamp shining on their feet. She thought she could now see whyPrudy loved to go to "Sabber school;" it was because she heard so manyfunny things. 

Soon all the little girls had repeated their texts; but, to her greatsurprise, Dotty had not been called upon to say or do a single thing. Itwas a marked slight. She hardly knew whether to be angry or not. "Iguess the lady didn't see me, " thought Dotty. So she cleared her throatwith a loud noise, which echoed across the room. Then Miss Carlislelooked at her and smiled. She was off the seat, standing on her tiptoes, Prudy tried to draw her back; but so much the more Dotty persisted. Sheshook off her sister's hand. 

"I wasn't a 'peakin' to you, " said she. 

"Never mind her, Prudy, " said Miss Carlisle, for the poor girl wascrimson with shame; "let your little sister come to me; perhaps shewishes to tell me something. "

Miss Carlisle bent forward, and let Dotty place her rosy lips close toher face. 

"Now, what do you wish, little one?"

"You didn't hear me say my _werse_, " whispered Dotty, in a tone ofpique. 

"Your verse? Did you learn one, child?"

"Yes, 'm, I did. I learned it all day yes'day. "

"O, very well! then say it, by all means, dear. "

Prudy's face expressed perfect despair. She tried to hush Dotty; but onemight as well coax the wind to stop blowing. The child's thoughts hadbeen like caged birds, and now out they must fly. 

"Shall I _whisper_?" asked Dotty. 

"No, say your verse aloud. "

The child planted herself in front of the class, and recited, in a highkey, and with the greatest delight, --

 "What you thpose um had for supper? B'ack-eyed beans, un bread un butter. "

It was not possible to help smiling. Prudy in spite of her shame anddistress, shook with laughter; but it was a laughter just ready totremble into tears. 

"I'll never ask mother to let her come again, if I once _do_ get hersafe home, " thought outraged Prudy. 

Dotty was not allowed to attend Sabbath school again that year; but itwas a long time before she forgot some of the things she had heard MissCarlisle say. Many of the strange words rang in her ears for weeks afterwards, though she said nothing about them. 

One day she rushed into the nursery out of breath. Prudy was kneelingbefore her little trunk, putting in order the paper dolls, which Dottyhad scattered over the floor. They were a sad sight. Some of them hadlost their heads, and some had lost their fine clothes, which are worthas much as heads any day--to dolls. 

But Dotty did not stop to look at the mischief she had made. Herthoughts were of other matters. She had brought from the kitchen a "TomThumb lamp" and a bunch of matches. 

Without a word she seated herself on the floor, behind her sister, anddrew off her shoes and stockings. She looked for a moment at her littlepink toes, then rubbed the whole bunch of matches on the carpet, sayingto herself, "A lamp to my feet. "

But, somehow, the lamp would not light itself. Dotty did not know how toturn back the chimney, and, though there was certainly blaze enough inthe matches, it did not catch the wick. It leaped forward and caught theskirt of Prudy's dress. 

"You're burnin' afire! You're burnin' afire!" shouted Dotty, dancingaround her sister. Prudy now felt the heat, and screamed too, bringingher mother and Norah to the spot at once. The flames were soon smotheredin a rug, and so Prudy's life was mercifully saved. 

It was sometime before any one understood what Dotty had been trying todo with a light. 

"I was just only a-puttin' a lamp to my feet, " sobbed she. "I learned itto Sabber school. "

But the little one's rare tears were soon dried by a romp with Zip outof doors. 

"It's queer how things always happen just right, " said Prudy, stilltrembling from her fright. "You said, if I'd been wearing my calico, mother, I'd have been scorched. And you know it was only the littlestwhile ago I put on this blue delaine, to go to auntie's in!"

CHAPTER IV. 

THE NESTLINGS. 

An hour or two after this, Mrs. Parlin, Susy, Prudy, and Zip went tovisit Mrs. Eastman, who now lived a little way out of town. 

Dotty was driving ducks, and did not see her mother and sisters whenthey started. 

"Where is they, Nono? And where's Prudy?"

"Gone walking. Your mamma told you they were going, " replied Norah, setting a basin of water and a brush and comb on the stand. 

"Well, Prudy's runned away, " cried Dotty, "Naughty girl; made out o'dirt!"

"Come here, Miss Dimple, and let me brush your hair. "

"Well, here's my hair, Nono, but you mustn't pull it; 'tisn't _your_hair! O, I want to kiss my mamma, I do!"

"Your mamma will be back again this evening. "

"Don't want to kiss her in the evening--want to kiss her now!"

"What makes you in such a hurry to kiss your mother?"

"O, I just only want to tell her to whip Prudy. Naughty Prudy runnedaway! Made out o' dirt!"

Dotty always looked very low-spirited while her long hair was beingcurled over a stick, and now was more unhappy than usual, for it wasone of her "temper days. "

But at last cousin Percy Eastman happened to call in, and declared hemust take his pretty cousin home with him in the carriage. 

"I'll get her ready, " said Norah; "but you're sure to be sorry if youtake her, for she's brimming over with mischief to-day. "

Dotty danced like a piece of thistledown. "There, Nono, " said she, "I'sgoin' to auntie's my own self; Prudy'll have to give up. "

All this time Mrs. Parlin and the two older children were having a finewalk. It was a bright June day. Prudy said she had to sing to herselffor all the things she saw looked as happy as if they were alive. AsPrudy talked, she flew from flower to flower, like a honey-bee. 

"I can't wait for Prudy to walk so zigzag, " said Susy. 

Mrs. Parlin suggested that Susy should keep on, and tell her auntEastman they were coming. Then she allowed Prudy to walk as "zigzag" asshe pleased; for Mrs. Parlin had long patience with her children. 

"O, mamma, " said Prudy, suddenly stopping short, and standing on onefoot; "if there isn't a cow!"

"I see, my dear, she is eating the sweet grass. "

"Yes, 'm; but don't its horns flare out like a pitchfork? Do you s'posehe knows how easy he could toss folks right up in the air?"

"I hope my little daughter is not afraid of a gentle cow. "

"No, indeed, " cried Prudy, clinging fast to her mother's hand. "Poh! ifI was afraid of a cow I'd be a cow--ard. I'd as lief he'd see me as not, if you'll shake your parasol at him, mamma. "

Prudy breathed more freely when the cow was out of sight. 

Soon she saw something which caused her to forget her terror. Peeping inamong the branches of a small tree, she espied what she called a "livebird's nest. " Never having seen any young birds before, she wondered atfirst "who had picked off their feathers. " The wee things seemed to beleft to themselves while their mother was away providing supper. 

"Haven't they very big stretchy mouths, for such small birdies?" saidPrudy. "Aren't you afraid they'll crack their mouths in two, gaping so, mamma?"

"They are only hungry, child. Suppose you feed them with a bit of aberry. "

Prudy nipped a strawberry into three parts with her thumb andforefinger, and dropped the pieces into their mouths. 

"O, mamma, they swallowed it whole! they swallowed it whole! Their teethhaven't come!"

Prudy's fresh delight and surprise were so pleasant to witness that hermother allowed her to linger for a while, mincing berries for thenestlings supper. 

When, at last, they reached Mrs. Eastman's, Prudy eagerly described theyoung wonders she had found. 

"It was like a story, " said she, "of little widow-children, --how themother was dead, and the children had to stay alone. "

"Children are never widows, " said Susy, laughing; "it isn't possible!But if their parents die, they are orphans sometimes. "

"That's just what I meant, " exclaimed Prudy, looking crestfallen. "Ishould think you might know what I mean, 'thout laughing at me, either. "

Before long Dotty Dimple arrived, in great triumph. She threw her chubbyarms about her mother's neck, saying, "Is I your little comfort, mamma?I camed in the hoss and carriage. S'an't give Prudy no supper--will you?'Cause Prudy runned away!"

"I should not have allowed this child to come, " said Mrs. Parlin, at thetea table; "but cousin Percy always picks up the stray babies, and givesthem a ride. "

Dotty looked as if she could easily forgive her cousin Percy. But therewas one thing that made her nice supper taste like "spoiled nectar, " andthat was the sight of Prudy enjoying her strawberries and cream. 

If she had runned away, as Dotty insisted upon believing, why was shenot shut up in the closet? Strange to say, dearly as Dotty loved thiskind sister, she enjoyed seeing her punished. She was vexed becausePrudy was allowed, after all, to sit at the table with the rest of thefamily. The little creature was very tired, for she had driven ducks allthe long summer day. She was also a little sleepy; and, more than all, it was one of her "temper days, " when everything went wrong. 

After tea she had a serious quarrel with her little cousin Johnny, overa dead squirrel, which they both tried to feed with sugared water, froma teaspoon. 

"Johnny, " cried she, "don't you touch his mouf any more! If you do, Is'an't w'ip you, Johnny, but I'll sp'inkle some ashes on your head! Yes, I will. "

Johnny, heedless of the threat, tried again to force open Bunny's stiffmouth, Dotty's beautiful eyes blazed. 

Without a word she walked off proudly to the kitchen, and came back witha handful of cold ashes, which she freely sifted into Johnny's flaxenhair. Mrs. Parlin saw that it was high time to take her youngestdaughter home. 

"O, mother, " said Prudy, who always felt herself disgraced by her littlesister's bad conduct, "sometimes Dotty pretty nearly makes you cry!Don't you almost wish you hadn't any such little girl?"

"My dear child, I am her _mother_, and she could hardly do anything sonaughty that I should cast her out of my heart. When she has thesefreaks of temper, I think, 'God bears with me, and I will try to bearwith my little one. I will wait. One of these days, when her reasongrows, she will be a real blessing to us all. '"

Mrs. Parlin proceeded to put on Dotty's outer wrappings, saying she mustbe taken home. The child struggled and screamed, and declared she"_would_ be good, she _would_ be a comfort;" but her mother was firm, though her sweet temper never for a moment forsook her. Susy and Prudylooked on, and learned a lesson in patience which was worth twentylectures. 

Percy Eastman was as glad to carry his spirited little cousin back as hehad been to bring her to his house. Mrs. Parlin rode too; but Susy andPrudy walked. 

When they came to the tree which contained the birds' nest, Prudy partedthe branches, but the nestlings were not to be seen; the mother-bird hadgathered them under her wings, out of sight. 

"Hush!" whispered Susy; "hear them peep! Let's go; we'll frighten theold birdie out of her wits. "

"I wish you could see them, Susy; then you'd know how cunning they are;and now you never'll know. But it doesn't seem a bit like orphanchildren since their mother's got home. "

"Makes me think of _our_ mamma, and _her_ three little children, " saidSusy, taking her sister's hand. 

"Yes, " said Prudy, her face radiant with a glow of love, warm from herheart; "how good our mother always is, and always was, before ever our_reasons_ grew! Think what we'd do this night, Susy Parlin, if therewasn't any _mother_ to our house!"

CHAPTER V. 

FANNY HARLOW'S PARTY. 

"Kiss me, little sister, " said Prudy, "and let me go, for I must getready for the party. "

"I know where you're goin', " said Dotty; "why can't I go too?"

Little did innocent Prudy dream of the queer thoughts which were chasingone another in her little sister's brain. After she and Susy had gone, and the house was quite still, Dotty stood at the window, looking downstreet. It was a lovely day; the clouds were "softer than sleep. "

"O, my suz!" said Dotty Dimple; "there they go, way off, way off, Susyand Prudy. Bof of 'em are all gone. Nobody at home but me. Didn't ask meto her party, Fanny Harlow didn't. "

Dotty heaved a deep sigh, took her black baby out of its cradle, andshook it with all her might. 

"What you lookin' to me for, Phib? I wasn't a 'peakin' to you. I'm goin'to cover you all up, Phib, so you won't hear me think. "

Then Dotty looked out of the window again. "What a good little girl Iam, " thought she, "not to be a cryin'! Prudy'd cry! There goes theblacksmif's shop. " Dotty meant the blacksmith. "His mother lets him goeverywhere. Everybody's mother lets 'em go everywhere. "

A prettily dressed little girl passed the window. 

"How do you do, little girl?" whispered Dotty, in a voice so low thateven the cat did not hear. "O, what a booful hat you've got! Would yourmamma make you wear a _rainy_ dress, like mine? No, she wouldn't. Yourmamma lets you go to parties all the days only Sundays. My mamma hassticked me into the nursery, and nothin' but a dar'needle to sew with!O, hum! And I haven't runned away since forever'n ever! They don't 'lowme to run away. Wish Fanny Harlow'd asked me to her party. I know whyshe never! 'Cause she forgot I was born. "

Presently there was a sound of little feet. Dotty was pattering upstairs. 

"Didn't know I was sewing with a dar'needle--did you, mamma? Mayn't I goto Fanny Harlow's party?"

Mrs. Parlin was busy with visitors, and did not pay much heed to herlittle daughter. So Dotty crept close to her mother's side, and buriedher roguish face behind her head-dress. 

"Wish you'd please to punish me, mamma, " said she; "punish me now; I'm_a-goin_' to be naughty?"

Mrs. Parlin smiled, and reminded Dotty that it was not polite to whisperin company. Then she went on talking with her friends, and Miss Dimpleslipped quietly out of the room. 

"I know I don't ought to, " mused the child; "I'm a-goin' to do wicked, and get punished; but I _want_ to do wicked, and get punished. I've beengoody till I'm all tired up!"

Having made this decision, she went to Prudy's closet, and looked at thedresses hanging wrong side outward on the pegs. 

"This is a booful one, " said she, pulling down a scarlet merino. She puton the dress, forgetting, in her guilty haste, to take off her own blueone. 

"O, my suz! I never did see!" said Dotty, puffing and tugging in herefforts to fasten the frock. "My mother must make Prudy's clo'esbigger'n this; yes, she must. It chokes. "

However, by dint of much hard work she succeeded in squeezing her roundlittle figure into the red merino, and fastening two of the buttons. "O, hum!" sighed she; "this dress is so tight I shan't grow to-day!"

Dotty had a great admiration for her mother's purple breakfast shawl, which she now threw over her little shoulders with tremulous delight. Nono's Sunday bonnet she next laid her naughty hands upon. Very charmingwas this bonnet in Dotty's eyes, as it was made of claret-colored silk, and was all on fire inside with scorching red and yellow flames. It wasso huge and so deep that Dotty's small face under it looked as if it hadgot lost in Mammoth Cave. 

"Now I've got every single clo'es on me. Guess there won't anybodythink I'm a boy this time, " mused she, giving a last glance at themirror; "there won't anybody laugh, and say, 'How d'ye do, my finelittle fellow?'"

Very well pleased with herself, Dotty dressed "brother Zip" in Prudy'swater-proof cloak, and they both stole out by the side door, withoutbeing seen. But which way to go Dotty could not tell. 

"Where _is_ the-girl-that-has-the-party's house?" thought she, under herbonnet. "Well, it's by the stone lions, 'most up to the North Pole. Now, Zippy, if we keep a-goin' we shall get there, and we'll see some girlsout by the door. "

Zip wagged his faithful tail, which was quite hidden under the cloak, and they both trudged on, Dotty's heart quivering with wicked delight. 

She happened to go in the right direction, and at last did really reachthe "house by the stone lions. " Several young girls were indeed playingin the yard. 

"What little image is that, traveling this way?" cried Florence Eastman, holding up both hands. 

"A beggar child, perhaps, " replied Fanny Harlow. "'Sh! 'sh! don'tlaugh!"

"I don't see anything but a walking bonnet, " tittered one of the girls;"don't it look like a chaise top? O, look, look! as true as you live, that thing that's hopping along beside her is a dog!"

The little figure now approached very slowly, its head bent down, itsfingers in its mouth; though the girls saw nothing but a big, droopingbonnet, a purple shawl, and a pair of tiny feet peeping out from a reddress. 

"I guess she came from Farther India, " suggested Susy, that being themost foreign land she could think of. 

Dotty now gave a loud knock at the gate, and peeped in between the bars. In doing so she had to push back the chaise-top, and the little girlshad a full view of her face. 

"O, Dotty Dimple Parlin!" screamed her sisters, in dismay. 

Fanny Harlow hastened to open the gate. 

"Where did you come from, you naughty thing?" whispered Susy, with acrimson face. 

Dotty's sole answer was a violent sneeze, which burst off two buttons, the only ones which fastened the scarlet merino. 

"I've broke my dress, " said Dotty, calmly. 

The little girls were greatly amused, but Dotty eyed them with such agaze of lofty disdain that they kept their faces as straight aspossible. 

"Poor thing, " said cousin Florence; "how tired you must be! Don't youwant to sit right down in this iron chair?"

Dotty's bright eyes flashed. "Don't you pity _me_, Flossy! Now 'top it!"

"How shall we ever get her home?" thought the two older sisters, inalarm; for they saw by the motion of Dotty's elbows, that she had madeup her mind to queen it over the whole company. 

"Look here, Dotty, " said Prudy, going up to her, and kissing her; "didmother say you might come, darling?"

Dotty rubbed off the kiss, and made no answer. 

"Don't you think 'twould be a nice plan, " whispered Prudy, "for me andSusy to draw you home in a little carriage? And I'll ask mother toforgive you. "

"O, yes, " said Susy, in an agony of mortification; "now do!"

Dotty looked as unmoved as one of the stone lions, and took no notice ofthe request. 

"What made they put two trees 'side that one tree?" asked she, by way ofchanging the subject. 

"Now, Dotty, you will go, that's a little love, " said Susy, wringing herhands. "Only think, if you don't you'll lose five kisses to-night, and Idare say mamma will punish you, too. "

"There's a man goin' by--old all over, and a white whisker. Who is it?"inquired Dotty, changing the subject again. "The whisker looks likesnow, 's if his chin's cold!"

"Never mind the man, " returned Prudy. "If you'll go I'll spend my fivecents, and buy you some pep'mints. "

"I'd rather have pickled limes, " said Dotty thoughtfully. 

"So you shall, " cried eager Susy; "and you'll be the sweetest littlepet, and ride home like a lady. "

"So I will, " said Dotty, serenely, "when I've had my supper. "

Susy's face fell. If the little piece of obstinacy would stay, she_would_; and Mrs. Harlow politely declared they should all be delighted. But how would she behave at the table? Her manners were as yet unformed;she needed line upon line and precept upon precept. It was dreadful tothink of her taking supper at one of the nicest houses in the city, inthat dress, and without her watchful mother too! It was a severe trialto Susy. Prudy was also distressed, but her "sky-like spirit" brightenedagain speedily. 

The little girls all crowded about Dotty, begging her to join in theirgames; but she said it would "hurt her big bonnet, " which she could notbe persuaded to take off, because she fancied it added something to herimportance. 

Fanny Harlow brought out a picture book for the little runaway. 

"I'm afraid she'll tear it, " said careful Prudy. 

Dotty looked at her sister with a withering glance, and, in hereagerness to prove that she knew how to handle books, suddenly tore oneof the leaves. She was surprised and mortified; but her self-esteem wasnot easily crushed. 

"There, Prudy, " said she, pertly; "what made you let me do it for? You_said_ I'd tear it!"

Mrs. Harlow hastened supper, fearing that Mrs. Parlin might be anxiousabout her little daughter. Dotty was placed between her two sisters. Susy pinned a napkin about the child's neck, and in a whisper begged tobe allowed to spread her bread and butter for her. Dotty had worn theair of a princess royal all the afternoon; but now, seated in a highchair, and surrounded by a group of admiring little girls, she feltlike a crowned queen. Taking her bread in both hands, she crumbed itinto her goblet of milk, and began to dip it out with the handle of herfork. The girls looked on and smiled, and Dotty gave a little purr ofsatisfaction. 

"Everybody'll think mother doesn't teach her good manners, " thought poorSusy, hardly knowing whether she ate bread or ashes. 

"Dear, dear, " said Prudy to herself; "Dotty may die some time, and thenI should be sorry, and cry. I'll keep thinking of that, so I can bearher awful actions better. "

The little princess, from her throne in the high chair, did very rudethings; such as coughing and blowing crumbs into her plate, drummingwith her feet, and beating time with her fork and spoon. When bread wasoffered, she said, --

"I don't like _baker's_ bread. I like _daily_ bread. "

But this was all the remark she made during the whole meal. At last sheceased eating, coughing, and drumming: there was a "flash of silence. "

Everybody looked up. Dotty's eyes were closed, and her head was swayingfrom side to side, like a heavy apple stuck on a knitting needle--shewas fast asleep. 

She was wheeled home in a small carriage, followed by a guard of all thegirls. Next day she was duly punished by being tied to the bedpost withthe clothes-line. 

"I wish her _reasons_ would begin to grow, " sighed Prudy. "I never canfeel happy when Dotty gets into a fuss. "

"I've been thinking it all over, " replied Susy, "and I've made up mymind that God allows her to mortify you and me. You know we must havesome kind of a trial, or we shouldn't grow gentle and sweet tempered. "

"As mother is, " added Prudy. 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE LITTLE TEACHER. 

At last Dotty's "reasons" did begin to grow. Her mother was too wise andkind to allow her to have her own naughty way; and by the time she wasfour years old she had very few "temper days, " and seemed to be growingquite lovely. 

But her sisters were troubled because she had not yet learned to read. Prudy remembered how ashamed she herself had felt when she first set outin earnest to go to school. For some time after her lameness she was sodelicate that no pains had been taken to teach her to read. 

"My little sister must never be so stupid as I was, " thought Prudy, uneasily. 

Sometimes visitors inquired if Miss Dotty knew her letters, and poorPrudy blushed with shame when Mrs. Parlin calmly replied that she didnot. 

"I'm sure mother feels mortified, " thought Prudy; "but she holds up herhead, and tries to make the best of it. I'll not say a word to anybody, but I mean to teach my little sister my own self!"

So one Wednesday afternoon, when Susy was away, Prudy called Dotty intothe nursery, and shut the door. 

"What you want me of?" asked the child. 

"I want to tell you something nice. Don't you wish you knew your A, B, C's, darling? There, that's what it is. "

Dotty shook her head three or four times, and looked down at the carpet. 

"Why, Dotty Dimple, you oughtn't to do so. You must answer when aquestion is asked. Wouldn't you like to learn your letters, like a goodygirl, so you can read the nice books? Now be polite, and speak. "

"I don't want to be polite, and speak, nor I don't want to learn myletters, like a goody gell; so there!" replied Dotty, seizing the kitty, and wrapping her in a shawl. 

"O, Dotty Dimple!" said Prudy, in a tone of deep distress; "how oldyou're getting to be! just think!"

"I'm four years old, and I weigh four pounds, " answered Dotty, drawingout her little cab, and throwing the muffled kitty into it, as if shehad been a roll of cloth. 

"O, my stars, Dotty, I can't bear to have you talk so. "

Dotty tucked in the kitty's tail, and drew the carriage about the room, to give "Pusheen" an airing. "Pusheen" was her kitty's name in Irish. 

"You can't think how dreadful it is, Dotty, to grow up and not knowanything!"

Dotty turned a short corner. Pusheen had a fall; down came the littlecab, kitty and all. 

"To grow up and not know anything, " continued Prudy. "O, it's enough tobreak anybody's heart!"

"Be you goin' to cry?" said Dotty, in a soft voice, kneeling, andpeeping up into Prudy's eyes, with some curiosity. 

Prudy was obliged to smile but hid her face in the sofa-pillow, andhoped Dotty did not see her. She found she must hit upon some otherplan. Dotty could not be made to feel the terrors of growing up a dunce. 

"Now, little sister, " said she, "if you'll let me be your teacher, andkeep school here in the nursery--"

"O, hum! A _little gell_ keep school! Would you send me to the bottomof the foot?"

"O, no! I'll do something for you--let's me see!"

"Well, what?" cried Dotty, her eyes sparkling like blue gems; "what'llyou do for me, Prudy?"

Prudy thought a minute. Meanwhile the muffled kitty slowly freed herselffrom the shawl, and slyly leaped to the top of the bureau, out of reachof her little mistress. 

"O, Prudy, " said Dotty, dancing about; "do something quick. "

"Listen, dear! Will you promise to learn to read if I'll tell you astory about every single letter there is on your blocks?"

"How long a story? As long as this room? Yes, I'll promige, " criedDotty, with a gleeful laugh. "Go get the stories, and tell 'em thisminute!"

"Now we'll begin, " said Prudy, no less delighted, pouring the blocks outof the box upon the floor. "I'll ring the little tea-bell, and call theschool to order. The school means _you_, and you must walk in and takeyour seat. "

"Yes, if you'll let me sit in the rocking-chair!"

"O, but that is mine, because I'm the teacher. "

"Then I'm goin' off into the kitchen, " said Dotty, loftily, "and I don'tknow as I'll come back. I won't promige. "

"O, take the rocking-chair!" replied Prudy quickly. "I'll sit on theottoman; it's just as good. Glad you spoke of it, Dotty; 'twouldn't beproper for the teacher to rock. Hark! now I tingle the bell. School'sbegun!"

Dotty walked along, and very demurely seated herself in the big chair. 

"Here, " said Prudy, showing her a block, "is your first letter; guesswhat the picture means, and I'll tell you the name of the letter. "

"That?" said Dotty, glancing at it; "that's a monkey; what you s'pose?"

"O, no! it's pretty near a monkey, not quite: it's what we call an_ape_. "

"A nape!" echoed Dotty, pointing at it, and laughing. "O, my! you don'know nothin' at all but just--do you, Prudy Parlin? Funny gell to keepschool! Didn't you never see a monkey? I've seen 'em dancingtummy-tum-tum, and a man making music with a little mite of a churn. "

"Well, perhaps this is a monkey, and ape is its baby name, " said Prudy, doubtfully. 

"Got a face like a dried apple--hasn't he?" said the young pupil, admiringly. "Rally round the flag, boys!"

"Hush! You mustn't sing in school. The name of this letter is A. Look atit ever so long, and say it over. "

"A, A, A, " repeated Dotty, to the tune of "John Brown. "

Prudy took courage. "All right, only you mustn't sing. I couldn't speakthe letter better myself than you do, _so_ soon. A stands for ape. "

"No, for monkey. "

The little teacher yielded the point. She had begun her school withplenty of love and patience. 

"Now tell a story, " said Dotty, settling herself in the chair. 

"Can't you say 'please'?" suggested Prudy, mildly. "'Please' is but alittle word, and 'thank you' is not long. "

"Well, please, and thank you, --'bout a ape. "

"I know a real nice one. Once there was a monkey--"

"No, a ape. "

"Well, a ape, then. But I didn't start right. Once Mr. 'Gustus Allensailed round the world. "

"Did? Who sailed him?"

"O, he went in one of those ships that go puffing out of the bay. And hehad a little ape, named Jacky. "

"How did you know? You wasn't there. "

"O, he told me about it. He was the brightest little creature, Jackywas. When he was cold, Mr. Allen used to tuck him right in his bosom. Sometimes he got into mischief, he knew so much. "

"Did he know as much as Zip? Did he ever talk in meetin'?"

"No, he couldn't bark the way Zip did at the lecture, but he chattered, as we do when our teeth are cold. When he'd been doing mischief he'd runround the floor of the ship, wagging his head the way I do now, as ifhe was as innocent as a whole lot of kittens. Why, he acted as you did, Dotty, when you was a little girl, and picked the inside out of thatcustard pie. "

"Ahem!" said Dotty. "I guess you think you're talkin' to somebody else, Prudy Parlin! I don't like your story; wish you'd stop. "

"But I was going to tell you how Jacky got sick, and there were ever somany more monkeys on board--"

"On what board?"

"On the ship. And they took care of Jacky, and brought him his supper asif they were folks. "

"What did he have for supper?"

"O, nuts and things, on a wooden plate. "

"I wish I was a monkey!"

"O, Dotty Dimple, that's a horrid speech!"

"Then I don't want to be a monkey; I want to be a ape. I wish I could gopuffing round the world in a ship. "

"Well, Dotty, this isn't keeping school. What letter have you learned?"

"I didn't learn a letter; I learned a story. You're a funny gell to keepa _story_-school!"

Prudy held up the block. 

"O, that picked thing? You called it a ape!"

"Why, Dotty Parlin! that's A. "

"A _what?_"

"I said _A_, " repeated Prudy, with emphasis, "only just _A_. "

"Why, 'tisn't A _nothing_--is it?"

"Dear me, " thought Prudy, "I don't see how folks do keep school. I'mgetting just as hungry--and cross!"

When Dotty had learned A so well that she knew it at a glance, herteacher proceeded to the next letter, which stood on the block for abat. Dotty said the picture looked "like Zip with an umbrella over him. "

After the second story, she was tired of the business. 

"Look out the window, Prudy. See that whale! O, you April fool!"

The young sister sighed over her sister's light-minded behavior. Whenthey came to C, which stood for cat, Dotty seized her kitty and tried tofeed her with lozenges. But Pusheen turned away her head with a gesturewhich signified, --

"Candy isn't fit to touch. I'd eat a mouse with you, with pleasure. "

"Talk, " said Dotty; "say 'thank you, ' Pusheen! No, indeed, you needn'tdo it; I's just in fun. God didn't give you any teef to talk with, Pussy; so you can't talk. "

"Now, Dotty, this next letter is D. "

"O, Prudy, I wish you'd hush! I've got the earache. "

"Ah, well!" thought the gentle teacher, with a sigh; "I'll try again, some other day. I'll not give it up. Grandma says, 'Time and patiencemake the mulberry leaf into satin. ' I don't know what that means, onlyit's something about _perseverance_. "

CHAPTER VII. 

BOTH SIDES OF A STORY. 

The little school was not resumed for some time. Not that Prudy hadforgotten it, by any means; but the next Saturday she had visitors, andthe following Wednesday an exciting event occurred. It concerned Susy'spony. Percy Eastman said he was called Wings "because he hadn't anyfeet. " Susy was vexed at this remark, and Prudy, taking her part, said, "Percy is such a _pert_ boy;" adding next moment, "What _is_ pert?"

But Percy only meant that the pony sadly needed some new shoes; andthis was very true. 

Now it happened that Mr. Parlin, being too busy to go himself, sent EddyJohnson and Charley Piper with Wings to the blacksmith's shop. It seemedto Susy that the boys were gone a long while, for it was Wednesdayafternoon, and she was impatient for a ride. She sat down to practise alittle, but her mind was out of doors, and the unwilling piano seemedcrying out to be let alone. 

"I can't play, " said Susy, decidedly; "and that's the truth. "

At that moment a sweet little voice was heard, singing, "John's Brownbuddy;" and Dotty Dimple's head and shoulders were thrust into theroom. 

"I've broked it, " said she; "I've broked it all to smash. "

"Broke what, for pity's sakes?"

"Your teapot, " replied Dotty, in a very cheerful voice. 

"O, I never did, in all my life, see such a child, " wailed Susy. "Whatmade you go and meddle with my dear little gold-edged tea-set?"

Dotty looked like an injured lamb, brushed the wayward hair out of hereyes, and gazed wistfully into her sister's face. 

"Is I your little comfort, Susy? Is I your little comfort?"

"No, " cried Susy, wavering between a smile and a tear; "no, indeed! Tothink of _your_ being a comfort! O, my stars!"

"Well, then, " continued the little one, in a soothing, cooing tone, "then I never broked it; it broked itself!"

So saying, she produced from the depths of her pocket the fragments ofthe gilt-edged toy. They were past the healing power even of Spalding'sglue, that was certain. At the painful sight, poor Susy's patience flewinto as many pieces as the teapot. 

"O, you naughty, naughty thing, to say it broke itself!"

"Then it didn't, " replied the little culprit, not a whit dismayed. "Then'twas Prudy. We was playing 'thimble-coop. ' _She_ broked it all tosmash!"

"O, mother, " said Susy, running out to the kitchen; "Dotty's making upfibs as fast as she can speak! You'll have to shut her up in thecloset. "

"Not so fast, my dear. Let us wait till we hear both sides of thestory. "

And, as it turned out, Dotty really did not deserve to be punished forwrong stories. She and Prudy had each assisted in breaking the teapot;one had knocked it off the bureau, and the other had stepped on it. ButDotty, who gloried in "a fuss, " had begged to be the one to tell Susythe startling news. She wished to see her eyes flash, and hear herexpressions of surprise. She knew that, however angry Susy might be, there was one magical sentence which would always her to terms:"Dotty'll go out doors, 'out her hat, get cold, have the _coop_, andDIE!"

At the bare mention of such a fearful thing, Susy's anger was sure tocool at once. This time Dotty varied her method a little. 

"See, " said she, looking out of the window; "the boys has came. "

Of course that was the last of Susy's thoughts about the teapot. Sherushed out of doors bareheaded, followed by Dotty. Eddy Johnson was justhitching Wings to a post near the gate. 

"Have they _shoed_ him?" said Susy. 

"_Shoed_ him? I should think they had; all of that, " replied Eddy, indignantly. 

"Booted him, more like, " muttered Charley Piper, in the same tone. 

"Why, what do you mean, boys?" said Susy, patting the pony, and gazingtenderly into his eyes. 

"O, we don't mean anything, as I know of. You must run into the houseand ask your mother to come out here, " said Eddy, mysteriously. 

"Why, it's my own pony, that my own father gave me, and if there'sanything the matter with it I should think you might tell, " cried Susy, her voice shaking with a vague dread of some terrible mishap. 

"Well, may be there isn't anything ails him, " returned Eddy, coolly. "Inever said there was; but your mother'll know!"

"O, Dotty Dimple, run into the house this very minute, please to, "exclaimed Susy, "and ask mother--if she's combing her hair, or_anything_--to come right out here as quick as she can run, and notwait! O, dear, dear, dear! Why, Dotty Dimple Parlin! you haven't startedyet! Quick! quick! quick!"

Dotty, who had only waited to be spoken to the second time, now ran insuch haste that she stumbled on the piazza steps; but, nothing daunted, jumped up and went on, delighted to know that this time something hadprobably happened. She startled her mother, and called her away from hertoilet, with the sudden cry that the boys and pony were 'most killed. 

At the same time she had the pleasure of throwing Prudy into apanic, --dear little Prudy, who had been for the last five minutessearching her treasures in the hope of finding some toy which wouldreplace Susy's teapot. 

Prudy and Dotty appeared at the gate in a very brief space; Prudy withher mouth in the shape of the letter O, and Mrs. Parlin not far off, inthe act of fastening her breastpin. 

"Well, boys, what is it?" said the good lady, smiling. "I hardly thinkanything very serious has happened, either to you or the pony. "

"_You_ tell, " said Eddy to Charley; "I _dassn't_. The blacksmith's manmay be mad if I do. But he's abused this hoss, though, " continued Eddy, not waiting to let Charley speak for him; "he's abused him awfully! It'sright up and down mean; and three of us boys seen him!"

Susy clasped her hands, and performed a "stamp-act" on the pavement. 

"See there, " said Eddy, pointing triumphantly to Wings' left hind leg;"see that--will you?"

True enough, there were two or three small wounds, out of which wasoozing thick dark blood. Susy looked as if her heart was breaking, butnot a word did she speak. 

"Pete Grimes did that with his hobnail, cowhide boots!" said Eddy, sternly. 

"With his hammer, you _mean_, " interposed Charley. 

"With his _boot_, sir, " persisted Eddy, with increasing eloquence. "Didn't I see him, me and Dan Murphy? Didn't we stand there by thecoal-bin, sir? He booted him well, Mis' Parlin. I'll tell you where hedid it; here on the left side, ma'am. Look where the hair sticks up!Pooty well mauled--ain't he, ma'am? Pete swore at him, too. Never heardsuch talk--did you, Charley?"

"No, ma'am, I never did, " replied Master Charley, addressing Mrs. Parlin, who fancied she could detect on Wings' glossy hide the marks ofa boot, though there were no traces of the wicked oaths. 

"It is a most abusive thing--if it is so, " said she, with much feeling;for if anything could move her gentle heart to anger, it was cruelty toanimals. "What made Mr. Grimes behave so strangely, boys? Was the ponyrestless?"

"Restless? No, indeed, ma'am, " replied Eddy, the orator; "as gentle as alamb, ma'am. It was Pete Grimes's wicked temper, and his wickeddisposition; that's what it was. "

It was well for Susy that her over-strained feelings now found vent inwords and tears. "There is no grief like the grief which does notspeak. " Her dumb agony gave way, and she wept and raved like a littlewild thing. 

Mrs. Parlin ordered the boys to lead the pony around to the back door, and there she washed out his wounds, trying all the while to sootheSusy, whose heart was beating a quick-step, and who trembled in everylimb. 

"Old Grimes is dead, that good old man!" repeated Prudy, with angryemphasis; "but it wasn't _his_ father. No, indeed; with the old bluebuttons down the back! Why, Peter is an awful man! I saw him once, andhis face looked as if he'd been rubbing it on a pen-wiper! There, Susy, don't you cry, " she added, applying a moral lesson to her sister'swounded feelings, like a healing plaster; "he's dreadful wicked, and oneof these days he'll get hurt his own self; a horse'll strike _him_!"

"Yes, a horse'll strike _him_!" echoed Dotty Dimple. 

"But what good will that do Wings?" moaned Susy. "Evil for evil onlymakes things worse. "

Her indignation did not lessen, but rather increased, the longer shereflected upon the subject. What right had a man to abuse anybody'shorse--more especially hers?

"Mr. Grimes ought to be 'dited, and sent to the Reform School or State'sPrison this very night, " said she, in her wrath. Prudy thought preciselythe same; also Miss Dimple, who looked upon the whole affair as a joke, intended for her amusement. 

When Mr. Parlin came home to tea, and heard the story, he did not blameSusy in the least for her indignation, but started off for theblacksmith's with the limping pony, saying he meant to "inquire into thebusiness. "

"May I go with you?" cried Susy. 

"Me, too?" said Prudy, echoed by Dotty. 

"Only Susy, " replied their father; "she may go if she likes. "

Susy very much wondered what her father was going to do. As theyapproached the shop, she saw, standing at the door, the man whose facelooked as if it had been "rubbed on a pen-wiper. "

"Mr. Grimes, " said Mr. Parlin, in a pleasanter manner than Susy thoughtwas at all necessary, "Mr. Grimes, I believe I owe you for shoeing thispony. "

While Mr. Grimes was making the change, Mr. Parlin added, --

"How happens it, my friend, that this little animal bears such marks ofill treatment? See how he limps. Look at this gash. "

"O, " said Mr. Grimes, "he lamed himself by kicking out against thecoal-box; he's a nervous thing. "

Mr. Parlin then told the boys' story. 

"It is not so, upon my word and honor, sir, " replied sooty-faced Mr. Grimes, with great amazement. "I'll leave it to Mr. Fox. "

Mr. Fox, and two or three other men, declared very positively that theyhad seen little Wings beating himself against the coal-box; and one ofthem pointed out to Mr. Parlin the blood-stain on the edge of the wood. 

"You can't trust much to what boys say, especially such harum-scarumfellows as Ed Johnson, " added Mr. Fox. "I shouldn't wonder, now, Grimes, if he and that Piper boy got their tempers up, and tried to spite you, for ordering them out of the shop. They were troublesome, and he had tospeak sharp, " added Mr. Fox, addressing Mr. Parlin again. 

"That's so!" exclaimed Mr. Grimes. "You take three little chaps, andhave 'em meddling with your nails, and sticking scraps of iron into thecoals, and it makes a man cross--or it frets _me_, and I told 'em toquit. "

"Saucy little rogues, " chimed in Mr. Fox, anxious for the honor of hisworkman. 

"As for my striking the pony, " continued Mr. Grimes, "I might havepatted him once or twice with the _handle_ of the hammer. I often dothat; but my blows wouldn't kill a fly. "

After a little more conversation Mr. Parlin was satisfied that no realcruelty had been used towards Wings. Susy's heart rose like a feather. 

"_Always wait till you hear both sides of a story!_" said Mr. Parlin, ashe and his daughter walked home. 

"Just the words _mother_ said this very day, " cried Susy, skippinglightly over the paving-stones. "It's so queer you and mother should_both_ talk so much alike. "

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE WATER-KELPIE. 

It was nearly time for vacation. As the children were to start on thenext Monday for Willow-brook, their mother allowed them to spend theirlast Wednesday afternoon with their cousin Florence. It fell to Prudy'slot to dress her little sister. 

"I'm ever so glad, " said Dotty, "that the barber snipped off my_kyurls_. Don't you think I do look like a boy, now, Prudy? You may callme Tommy, if you want to; I'm willin'. "

"There, now, " she exclaimed, when her toilet was made, "say me mylesson; please to, Prudy. "

"O, I forgot all about that" replied the little teacher, uneasily. "Susy'll be done practising in half an hour, and I thought I'd just have timeto make my doll's boots, --finish them, I mean. Can't you wait tillSaturday, Dotty?"

"O, my suz, Prudy Parlin! When I get to be a great sister to you, Iwon't treat you so. I want to get my letters all smooth doneto-day, --don't want to wait till Sat'day. "

At any other time Prudy would have been gratified to see Dotty show somuch eagerness. 

"Be kind to thy sister, " hummed the gentle little teacher. "Yes, Iwill. I'm always glad after I've been kind. Nothing makes me love Dottyso well as to try to please her!"

"Now, " said she, calling her school to order, "you've learned as far asS, which I think is doing finely, all alone, with nobody to help us. This next letter stands, you see, for a _top_. What is it we drink outof cups?"

"I don't get anything but milk, and that's in a mug, " replied Dotty inan injured tone. 

"But what does mother drink? Now think. "

Dotty eyed the letter sharply. "Why, mamma drinks coffee sometimes, andit has grounds; but they don't look like that thing, the grounds don't!Why, that thing looks like a spade, with the teeth out, wrong side up. "

"You mean a _rake_" laughed Prudy. "Well, dear, this is T. "

When Dotty came to X, she declared it stood "for your thumb. Susy saidso, and it was in the music-book. "

Now came an hour of triumph for the little pupil. Her mother was bothsurprised and delighted to hear that her youngest daughter knew all herletters. 

"She can say them skipping about, " said Prudy, "and can spell a fewlittle words, too. "

"C, a, t, cat, d, o, g, Zip, " laughed Dotty, showing her deepestdimples, and frisking about the room. 

"My dear little ones, " said Mrs. Parlin, kissing both the children, "Iam really very much gratified. Both teacher and pupil have shown a greatdeal of patience and perseverance. "

These words from her beloved mother were most precious to Prudy. Dotty, though she did not know what was meant by patience and perseverance, presumed it was something fine, and laughed and danced in great glee. 

Nothing remarkable happened during the visit to Florence Eastman, exceptthat Miss Dimple and Johnny were found running off the track of theupper railroad just one second after the engine started. Everybody wasvery much frightened when it was all safely over. But Dotty said, --

"O, my suz! Me an' Johnny has done that a hundred and a milliontimes--hasn't we, Johnny? We wait till the injin w'istles, then we runon to the platform--don't we, Johnny?"

It came out after a while, that these reckless children had also been inthe habit of crossing pins on the track, to make "scissors, " the weightof the cars pressing the two pins into a solid _x_. 

"I still tremble, " said Mrs. Eastman, with white lips. "This AliceParlin is the most daring little creature I ever saw, more harum-scarumthan ever Susy was. "

Prudy was Mrs. Eastman's pet. "Prudy, " she said, "was a natural lady:the other two were romps. "

The next Monday Mrs. Parlin and the three children started forWillow-brook. Dotty wished to take her sweet Pusheen and her darlingZip; but it was decided that Pusheen must stay at home, and help keephouse. 

"Be a good kitty, " said her little mistress, embracing her, "and eat allthe mice in the mouse-chamber, 'fore they grow up _rats_!"

But Zip was allowed to go to Willow-brook; and Dotty watched him all theway, scarcely allowing him to stir from the seat beside her. 

"No, " said she, holding him firmly by both ears; "Dotty'd be glad to letyou get down, but she doesn't think it's best. You is only a doggie, andyou'd get runned over and die. So now, Zippy, you'll have to give up, and it's no use to bark. "

But Zip, having the spirit of a dog, _would_ bark. 

The whole party reached Willow-brook in safety, and had a joyfulwelcome. 

"Prudy, my aunt Louise is the handsomest lady there is in this world, "said Dotty, privately. 

"O, Dotty, how can you think so, " exclaimed Prudy, "when there's onlyone woman can be THAT!"

"Who's _she_?"

"Mother, _of course_!"

When Dotty was called to supper, she was found beside Pincher's greengrave, telling her "brother Zip" the story of that dog's death, andtrying to impress upon his mind the importance of keeping his paws outof fox-traps. 

It was delightful to be at grandma Parlin's once more. The summer-house, the seat in the tree, and the swing, were all in their old places, andhad been waiting a whole year for the children. A few things had beenadded: a hennery, --called by Dotty "a henpeckery"--and a graceful whiteboat, named the Water-Kelpie. This boat was kept chained to a stake onthe bank, and no one could have a sail in it without first obtaining thekey, which hung over the bird-cage, in the back parlor. 

Susy was charmed with the boat. It was lighter and nicer than the oldcanoe, which had so long been used by the family. She and Lonnie Adams, her aunt Martha's nephew, took daily lessons in rowing; but Susy, whohad for years been accustomed to the water, knew how to manage a boatfar better than did Master Lonnie. The boy strained every nerve, to verylittle purpose, while Susy would lightly dip in the paddle, and turn itwith perfect ease. 

"I don't care, " said Lonnie; "guess you can't drive a nail any betterthan I can, Susy Parlin, and I can row her some, anyhow. Now, Abner, can't I row her?"

"Yes, my boy, I think I've heard you _roar_, " replied Abner, with aprovoking smile. 

"Well, can't I row her this way?"

"Middlin' well, " returned Abner, cautiously; "but little Sue, here, isthe water-man for me. "

Susy's cheeks glowed, and there was a proud flash in her eyes as theymet Lonnie's. At that moment she felt equal to the task of steering aship across the Atlantic Ocean. 

Not long after this praise from Abner, aunt Martha said that she andMaster Lonnie were going over the river, after some wild-flower roots, and would be glad to have the boat sent for them at five o'clock. 

"Mayn't I be the one to go?" asked Susy. 

"If you like, " replied the grandmother; "that is, if Abner is willing. "

Susy knew perfectly well that her grandmother had no idea of allowingher to go alone; but it so happened, when she reached the river-bankwith the boat-key, that Abner was nowhere to be seen. 

"Seems to me, " thought Susy, "Abner is generally somewhere else. "

"Where you goin', all alone, 'thout me?" cried Dotty Dimple, from thetop of the bank. 

"You here? What did you come for?" said Susy. 

For answer, Dotty took a pair of rubber overshoes out of Zip's mouth. 

"Grandma says to put 'em right on, or you'll catch the hookin' cough;the boat's wet. "

"There, now, " said Susy, putting on the rubbers, "I've forgot the basketfor those Jack-in-the-pulpit roots. Didn't grandma send it up?"

"No, she sended up _me_, " replied Dotty; adding, quickly, "and I'm goin'where you go, you know; and if you don't go anywhere, I'm goin' there, too. "

"That's just the way it is with you, Dotty Dimple; always coming when Idon't expect you. "

"Prudy coaxed me to, " said Dotty, with one of her sweetest smiles anddeepest dimples. 

"Coaxed you?"

"Well, " faltered Dotty, "she wanted to come her own self. She said shewished I'd stay to home, --so, _of course_ I camed!"

"I'll tell you how it is, " said Susy, thoughtfully. "That queer oldAbner's nowhere to be seen. I suppose he's in the cornfield, or themeadow, or the barn. It's after five; and what will aunt Martha think? Icould row across the river well enough by myself, if you'd only runhome; you're _such_ a bother!"

"O, my darlin' sister Susy! I won't do nothin' but just sit still. Who'syour precious comfort?"

"Well, I don't know but I'll take you, then. Come, little Miss Trouble, jump into the boat. "

So Dotty Dimple, being what Mr. Allen had called a "child-queen, " hadher own way, as usual. 

"Why, where's the paddles?" said Susy. "The men must have hid them. Dear me, I can't stop to hunt; and here it is five o'clock long ago! O, I'll take this good smooth shingle, I declare! I guess it washed ashoreon purpose; it's almost equal to a paddle. --Now we'll go, all so nice, "continued Susy, fearlessly dipping the chance-found shingle into thewater. 

"O, my suz, " said Dotty, clapping her hands, which had any amount ofdimples on the backs; "we're goin'!"

"Of course we're going!" said Susy, proudly. "What did you expect? I cando five times as well with a shingle as Lonnie can with a paddle. Whatdo you suppose aunt Martha'll say? 'Bravo! those are smart children, tobe rowing all alone, by themselves'!"

"O, Susy, what a hubble-bubble we make in the water! Look at the bubbleswinkin' their eyes! See those pretty wrinkles, all puckered up in thewater!"

"I see them, " said Susy, steadily plying her shingle; "but why don't yousit still? You'll tip us both over, as sure as this world; and if we getdrowned I guess grandma'll scold! I shall be the one to have all theblame. "

"O, dear, " said Dotty, reeling about from side to side, "the boat'sdizzy! My head's goin' to tip into the water. But don't you cry, Susy;you catch hold of me, and I shan't go!"

Susy was suddenly seized with mortal terror. 

"Dotty Parlin, I'll never take you anywhere again, as long as I live!You sit as still as ever you can, and fold your hands; fold them both!"

Dotty obeyed at once, and sat up quite straight, looking very sweet, andat the same time slightly acid, like a stick of lemon-candy. The WaterKelpie, now that Dotty was quiet, floated on, safely and surely, towardsthe opposite shore. 

It was a pretty picture--the white boat, the graceful children, and thestill, blue water. Susy's fair arms were bared to the elbows, and herface was deeply flushed. Dotty's beautiful eyes danced, but she herselfwas motionless and demure. 

When they landed, Susy called aloud for her aunt Martha to come andsecure the boat. Her voice echoed from afar, waking "the sleep of thehills, " but no aunt Martha appeared. The children clambered out at last, and Susy chained the boat to a stick, which she drove into the sand. Butthe sand was light, and the boat was heavy, and the current strong; sobefore the children had walked a dozen rods, the Water-Kelpie wasfloating down stream of its own free will. 

Thus it happened that although aunt Martha was certainly surprised, shedid not seem very much pleased. She did not say, "Bravo! my two niecesare smart children, to be rowing all alone by themselves. " Nothing ofthe sort. She reproved Susy for her rash conduct, and sent her andLonnie around two miles, by the bridge, to ask Abner to come for themwith the canoe. 

Lonnie was very much comforted when he saw that Susy received no praise. 

"I can row her myself, " said he; "but I wouldn't put Dotty in, and mostdrown her, and dab along with that shingle. "

The runaway Water-Kelpie was caught a little way below the bridge, andAbner slyly laid by the dripping shingle, and afterwards showed it toeverybody, as a proof that "our Sue was an amazin' smart little waterman. "

This famous boat-ride only had the effect to make Dotty Dimple morefearless than ever; but her next adventure on the water proved somewhatserious. 

CHAPTER IX. 

BROTHER ZIP. 

There was to be a remarkable supper at grandma Parlin's, in honor ofColonel Augustus Allen, who was expected in the cars. There had been agrand excursion to welcome the soldiers, and the stage would probably bevery late. Susy and Prudy had the promise of sitting up till it got in, if Dotty Dimple was only willing. But Dotty said, --

"O, no; you better go to bed when I go, Prudy, or you'll hear somebodyscream. "

"Let's see, " said Prudy. "I've thought of something nice. Wouldn't youlike to go to aunt Martha's, and stay all the afternoon and all night?"

Dotty gave a little purr, like a happy kitten. 

"O, yes, if they'll let me drink choclid out o' that silver mug. "

"But who'll go with you?" said Prudy. "There, I know--Abby Grant! I'llgo ask mother. "

Prudy thought that she herself could not possibly be spared just now towalk as far as aunt Martha's. 

Abby Grant, who was supposed to be a good child, was very glad to takecharge of Dotty, and called for her at two o'clock. 

Aunt Louise was in the kitchen, whipping cream. "O, my suz, " saidDotty, with shining eyes; "mayn't I taste o' those bubbles 'fore I go?"

Aunt Louise poured the foaming cream over some jellies, which stood inglasses. 

"You shall have some to-morrow, " said she, pausing to kiss Dotty, herfavorite niece. Then she led the two little girls into the dining-room, where the long table was already spread for Company. Dotty could hardlykeep her hands off the nice things. 

"There, " said aunt Louise, giving each of the children an orange, "nowyou may go. Abby, be sure to take good care of Dotty. Don't trust herout of your sight one minute. --Hark! there's the door-bell. You may goout of the house by the back-door. "

Then Miss Louise hastened from the dining-room, without looking back tosee whether the children obeyed her or not. Dotty was, in general, prompt to do as she was bidden by older people; but just now both thechildren found it hard to leave that tempting table. They dared nottaste the dainties, but Abby thought it could surely do no harm just totouch them. But when they had gone as far as that, Abby, who was a sly, half-taught child, grew bolder, and a sudden impulse seized her topocket a few sweetmeats, if she could only do so without being seen byDotty's keen eyes. 

"Come, Dotty Parling, " said she, "you just go ask somebody to brush yourhair; it's all over your head. "

Dotty sighed as she cast a last glance at the table, and then, without aword, went up stairs, unwilling to be seen by aunt Martha with her "hairall over her head. "

Then Abby's heart beat fast. She heard voices in the parlor, and knewthat at any moment some one might enter the dining-room, and discoverher. So making a hasty choice of two large pieces of jelly-cake, andhalf a dozen tarts, she swept out of the room just in time to escapemeeting grandma Parlin. 

Her pocket was stuffed quite full, and one end of a slice of cake peepedout, though she tried her best to press it down. But Abby had a hopethat no one would notice it through her white apron. 

As Dotty's hair was now in fine order, the two children set out on theirwalk. They had gone but a few steps when Zip came trotting along, withall speed, looking up in their faces as if to say, "What have I done, that I can't go too?"

"Queer what made _him_ want to come, " said Abby, tartly. 

"He loves his little sister, " said Dotty, stroking his nose. "He shallgo, he shall; he's a darling. "

The dog kept beside the children, and every now and then Abby secretlypunched him with a stick, while Dotty was patting his head, and chattingwith him. 

It was a long way to aunt Martha's, and Abby, besides feeling guilty, and ashamed of herself, was also very anxious to eat the goodies whichmade such a bunch in her pocket. Zip seemed to know there was cakesomewhere, and sniffed about in a way which made her rather nervous. 

"Here, let's creep under this fence, " said she; "what's the use to go'round by the road? It's a great deal nearer to your aunt's housethrough the field. "

"There, child, " cried she, when they were on the other side of thefence, "now I want to go behind this clump of trees, to--to find a bookI left here yesterday: but you mustn't come, Dotty. "

"What for can't I? Yes, I shall, Abby Grant; you shame yourself! I'mgoin' every single where you go; so, now, you'll have to give up!"

"Dot Parling, you go right along with your doggie! I'll come in aminute. "

Dotty thought a girl of Abby's age had no right to command her. Shestamped her little foot, but it made no sound in the soft grass. 

"I isn't a-goin' to go long with my doggie, Abby Grant; 'cause--sothere!"

"But you must. You know, Dot Parling, " said Abby, more gently, "yourgrandma expects you to do just what I tell you. I'm afraid, dear, youwon't get any of that bubbled cream if you don't mind, nor any tarts. "

The child queen began to think it was wisest to obey; but she did sowith a very ill grace. 

"Well, Abby Grant, I will go long with my doggie; but it's cause I'mtired, and don't want to help you find your old book--so, there!"

"That's right. Dotty. Start quick--can't you?"

Dotty took "high ground" at once. She looked Abby full in the face. 

"Do you like _yourself_, Abby Grant?"

"I don' know. Yes: why?"

"'Cause I shouldn't think you would! I 'spise you!"

Having freed her mind, Dotty walked on with Zip, only turning back once, to exclaim, --

"There, Abby, now you'll have to give up!"

Abby, naughty girl, ate her cake in secret, staining her white apronwith the jelly, while little Miss Dimple trudged on, thinking it verystrange Abby should be so long finding that book. 

Perhaps for the reason that she was rather out of sorts, and thinkingabout Abby rather than about the road, she missed her way, and soonfound herself in a narrow lane she had never seen before. 

Zip looked rather uneasy, but followed close by her side. Dotty walkedon and on, till the track had faded quite away. This was not the road toaunt Martha's. Why didn't Abby come?

Dotty, too proud to cry, too angry to look back, wandered till she cameto the edge of the Parlin woods. Here was a little creek, tumbling oversome small gray rocks; the same "creek" where Horace had sometimes gonefishing. 

"True as you live, " said Dotty to herself, "here's a teenty-tontyriver. "

There was no way of crossing the creek, and the child felt as if she hadcome to the very end of the world. Her courage began to fail. 

"Dotty Dimple, " said she, stamping her foot, "don't you cry! If you docry, Dotty Dimple, I'll shut you up in the closet. "

But, in spite of these brave words, the unhappy child felt two or threetears raining down her cheeks. She now seated herself on the grass, andscreamed for Abby. 

"When she comes, " thought Dotty, "I'll tell her she's 'shamed herself!"

At first it seemed as if Abby were answering her; but the sound provedto be only the echo of Dotty's own voice. O, she might scream all theafternoon, and Abby wouldn't try to hear! O, dear; before anybody wouldcome, a bear, or a wolf, or a whale might rush right out of the woodsand eat her up! Then how Abby would cry! Abby's mother would whip herwith a big stick, and say, "there, now; what made you go behind thetrees, and let that little Parlin girl lose herself, and get ate up! Idon't think you're very polite, you naughty girl!"--O, how everybodywould cry!

But what was that little funny thing on the water? Forgetting her suddenfear of bears and whales, a fear which Abby herself had put into herlittle head, Dotty gazed at the "funny thing. " Could it be a littletruly sailboat? Yes, it certainly was. How it got into the creek Dottynever stopped to think; the question was, how could she get it out?

She blew it with her breath, but it only floated farther away. Shewaited, hoping it would turn about, and come towards her. She threwsticks at it, but in vain. The boys, who had set it sailing had goneinto the woods for raspberries, would have laughed to see her efforts. Presently she took off her hat, held it by one string, and flung it in, as if it had been a fishing-net. It was all of no use; the boat acted asif it were alive, and did not choose to be caught. 

Dotty had forgotten all about Abby and the visit to aunt Martha's. 

"I know what I'll do, " thought she, winking very fast. "I'll catch thatboat; I will!"

When Dotty had made up her mind, she never stopped for trifles. She drewoff her stockings and gaiters, and stepped into the creek. Boys waded inthe water, why couldn't she? There was nothing to bite her! She wasn'tafraid!

She had supposed the water would only cover her feet, but she foundherself sadly mistaken. The creek was remarkably deep, and, more thanthat, the bottom was so soft that she sank down, down, at every step. 

Poor child! It was hard enough to get lost; it was harder still to bedrowned!

"O, papa!" she screamed; "O, mamma! O, Prudy! can't you come? I don'twant to drown, and not have _you_ drown, Prudy. Can't you come, somebodycome!"

But there were no human ears near enough to hear her piteous cries. Shemust have drowned--there is no doubt of it--if Zip had not been close athand. The moment he saw her sinking, he gave a low bark and swam afterher. 

Before he could reach the unfortunate child the water was up to herwaist, and she was wringing her little helpless hands, and saying, "NowI lay me down to sleep!"

Faithful old Zip lost not a moment, but seized her skirts and draggedher to the bank, laying her on the ground as tenderly as her own mothercould have done. 

Now you see why it is that God had put it into Zip's loving heart to"want to come with his little sister. "

Abner, who arrived a few minutes later, in order to cut some youngbirches for his fence, said, --

"Wasn't it lucky, that that dog _happened_ to be right on the spot? Andlucky, too, that I _happened_ along in the nick of time, to carry thepoor little girl home in my arms?"

But the truth is, in this world which our Heavenly Father watches over, nothing ever comes by chance, and events do not _happen_. 

Abby shed many bitter tears, but they were not so much tears of sorrowfor her sin, as of shame for being found out. Such weeping does no good. Indeed I am afraid it only hardened Abby's heart. 

But the day ended gloriously for Dotty. She was handed about to bekissed by everybody, and was, after all, allowed to sit up till nineo'clock, and actually ate a "bubbled cream, " sitting as close as shecould beside Colonel Allen's elbow. 

CHAPTER X. 

DR. PRUDY. 

The next day Dotty had a severe cold, and her mother, fearing the croup, did not allow her to go out of doors. This was hard for the child. Shefelt very restless, because she had to give up "housekeeping" withPrudy, a very fascinating game, which could only be played on theriver-bank. She looked out of the kitchen window, and saw somecarpenters shingling the barn. 

"O, hum!" she murmured, "I wish grandpa wouldn't mend his barn!"

A white mist was creeping slowly over the river and the distant hills. 

"There, now, " she sighed, "I wish the earth wouldn't _breave_ so hard!"

Then she went into the parlor, like a little gray cloud. 

"O, dear; I don't like this house, 'cause it's got a top to it! Wish Iwas somewhere else!"

"Poor child, " said Colonel Allen, who was seated on the sofa, lookingout of the bay-window upon the garden; "do you love home better thanthis beautiful spot?"

"No, " replied the little one, shaking her head. "I don't love my home, 'cause I live there; I don't love nothin'. O, hum, suz!"

Then Dotty wandered into the nursery, and stood all alone, leaningagainst the lounge. 

"I shouldn't think my mother'd let me be so cross, " mused she. 

She did not cry, for she had learned very young that crying is of nouse; and it may be, too, that she had only a small fountain of tearsback of her eyes. Prudy, entering the nursery in eager haste, for her"bean-bags, " was touched at sight of her sister's sad face. 

"There, now, I'll put back my bean-bags, and try to make her happy, "said Prudy to herself. "That will be following the Golden Rule; for it'sdoing unto Dotty as I want Susy to do unto me, when _I'm_ sick. "

She went quietly up to Dotty, who still stood leaning gloomily againstthe lounge. The child turned around with a sudden smile. It cheered herto see Prudy's sweet face, which was always sunny with a halo of happythoughts. 

"Are you real sick, though, Dotty Dimple?"

"Yes, I are, " replied Dotty, well pleased to be asked such a question. "I got 'most drowned, you know. O, I wish you'd stayed out in the rainthe other day, and got cold; then you'd have been sick, too. "

Prudy smiled, for she knew that her little sister really had no suchunkind wish at heart. She was only trying, with her limited stock ofwords, to say that she longed to have a little sympathy. It was notoften that Dotty was willing to be pitied. 

"See here, Prudy darling, don't you want a piece of my cough-candy? It'sgood! You may bite clear down to there, where I've scratched with apin. "

"No, thank you, dear, I don't care a bit for it. "

Dotty's face beamed with joyous dimples. It was so pleasant to begenerous, and at the same time keep the candy! In her short life DottyDimple had not quite learned that "the half is better than the whole. "

"Now, " said Prudy, after thinking a while, "suppose we play that you'resick, --as you are, you know, --and I'm the doctor. "

Dotty gave a little scream of delight. 

"You may see my tongue, " said she, running to the looking-glass; "it'sreal rusty. Can't you scrape it with a knife, Brady?"

"You must say _doctor_, when you speak to me. Now, my dear patient, it'sbest for you to lie on the lounge, and take medicine in the chest. Pooryoung lady, we shall be so glad when you get your health all well!--Doyou want me to extricate a tooth? Have you any headache, miss?"

Prudy's voice was low and sympathetic. "Yes, Dr. Prudy, " replied thepatient, with a stifled groan; "I've truly got the ache in my head; itpricks through my hair. " "I'll tell you the cause of that, my dearpatient; I suspect your pillow's made of pin-feathers. Let me feel yourpulse on the back of your hand--your wrist, I mean. Terrible, " moanedthe young doctor, gazing mournfully at the ceiling; "it's stoppedbeating. Can't expect your life now. O, no!"

"Now you must put your hands behind you, and walk across the room, "suggested Dotty; "that's the way. "

"If my memory preserves me right, " continued the young doctor, pacingthe floor, "you've got the--ahem!--pluribus unum. " Here Dr. Prudy ranher fingers through her hair. "But it goes light this year--with care, ma'am, you know. So I'll go and stir you up some pills in my marblemortar. "

"O, dear me, doctor; don't you now! Bring me some lemonade and nuts, forI'm drefful sick; but don't bring me no pills nor molters!"

"Poh, only brown bread, Dotty! what do you suppose?"

Upon the whole, Miss Dimple, being petted to her heart's content, hadquite a comfortable day of it. 

In the evening she asked, --

"Mightn't I eat supper, all alone, in the parlor? Once, when I had thesores all wrinkled out on my face, on my chin and round my eyes, allround, _then_ I ate in the parlor. "

Prudy, with her grandmother's consent, carried in a pretty salver, onwhich were a little Wedgewood teapot with hot water, a tiny sugar-bowland creamer, a plate, and cup and saucer, some slices of toast, and aglass of jelly. 

"Thank you a whole heart-full, " said Dotty, springing off the sofa;"that little waiter and so forth is real big enough for me. "

Dotty thought "and so forth" meant "cups and saucers. " She had heardNorah tell Prudy, when she wished to set the table, that she might puton "the knives and forks, and so forth, " and Dotty had noticed that itwas always cups and saucers after the knives and forks. 

"But, Dr. Prudy, there's one thing you've forgot, " said the youngpatient; "a little tea-bell, so I can tingle it, and call you in. "

The bell was brought, and while the rest of the family ate in thedining-room, Dotty took her "white tea" in the parlor, in queenly state. 

Prudy had eaten half a thin slice of toast, when the long and sharpringing of the tea-bell summoned her into the parlor. 

"And what would you like, Miss Dimple?" said the remarkably obligingdoctor, with a low bow. 

"More jelly, " replied the patient, holding up the empty glass, "and somesquince marmalade. "

After obeying this request, Prudy went back to her supper, and had justfinished her slice of bread, when the bell struck again. 

This time there was "that old spin-wheel in the chimney again, "--so thepatient said, --and a book in the what-not wrong side up, looking "as ifit would choke. "

The book was set right; but the noise in the chimney was too much forthe doctor's skill, since neither she nor any one else knew its cause. 

Next sounded a furious peal of the bell, and a series of loud screamsfrom the little sick girl. She had been dreadfully stung by a bee, whichhad buzzed its way out from the fireboard. Strange to tell, there was aswarm of bees in the chimney, instead of "a spin-wheel. "

Abner at once mounted to the roof of the house, and peeped into thechimney. A nice, cosy beehive it made, filled to the throat with waxencells. 

Dotty bore her sufferings sweetly, being sustained by the promise of alarge box of honey, by and by. 

"Bees have a 'sweet, sweet home, ' I think, " said Susy. 

"So do ants when they get in the sugar-box, " rejoined Prudy. 

As night approached, Dotty showed symptoms of croup. 

"I think, " said her grandmother, "it will be the safest way to give hersome castor-oil and molasses; that is what her father used to take whenhe was a little boy. "

Dotty pouted. "Dirty, slippy castor-oil, " she cried, shaking herelbows--a thing she seldom did now. "I shan't let it go in my throat. I'll bite my teeth togedder tight. "

"Alice, " said her grandmother, "is that the proper way to speak to me?"

The child's face cleared in a moment. 

"I wasn't a-speakin' to you, grandma, " said she, sweetly; "I was atalkin' to the dust-pan. "

"O, Dotty Parlin!" cried Prudy, much distressed. "Nobody ever talked tothe dust-pan, in all the days of their lives! I always thought you werea good girl, Dotty, but now I am afraid you tell false fibs!"

Dotty clung about Prudy like a sweet pea, and peeped into her eyes witha pleading look. 

"Say, do you love me, Prudy? For I'm goin' to let the oil slip rightdown my throat, just as my papa did when _he_ was a little boy. "

After swallowing the oil and molasses, Dotty grew very affectionate, andkissed everybody twice, all around. Then she said her prayers, and wentto bed. 

"Mamma, " said she, "now smoove me up under my chin, please. " She lovedto have the sheet laid straight. "Do you s'pose God will take care o' meto-night, mamma?"

"Certainly, my darling; you may be very sure He will. Your heavenlyFather never sleeps. He watches over you always. "

"Now, truly, does he?" said the child, pressing her flushed cheekagainst the pillow. "Does he see me in my chubby bed, when the moon'sall dark?

"O, my suz!" cried she, suddenly, raising her head; "God can take careo' me most always, you know, but I'm drefful afraid something will catchme while he's 'tending to _another_ man!"

Mrs. Parlin explained to her little daughter, as well as she could, theomnipresence and infinite goodness of God; and while she was stilltalking, in low, soothing tones, the little one fell asleep. 

But about midnight there was a sudden alarm. Lights glanced here andthere over the house, and Susy and Prudy were wakened from a deep sleepby the sound of voices. Dotty had a violent attack of croup. 

"Put me out doors, " gasped the poor little sufferer, when she couldspeak at all. "I can't breave if the window's _ever_ so up. Get menearer to the moon. Then I can breave!"

"It's so dreadful!" sobbed Susy. "I feel real sure she's going to diethis time. "

"O, no, I don't think she will, " said Prudy, shaking the tears off hereyelashes. "God took care of me when I had the lameness, and He'll takecare of her. He loves her as much as he loves me. "

"Now just listen to me, " returned Susy, pacing the floor of the greenchamber, in her night-dress, while Prudy sat on the edge of the bed. "God loves us all; but that's no sign we can't die! Little children, noolder than Dotty, have their breath snatched right away, and are coveredup in the ground, with gravestones at their heads and feet. O, youhaven't the least idea, Prudy. You never think anything can happen!"

"Well, things don't happen very often, you know, Susy. "

"There, Prudy Parlin, don't talk so! I feel just as if Dotty was goingto die this very night. "

"O, I don't think she will, Susy. But she's God's little girl, and if Hewants her up in heaven He has a right to take her. He never'll take her, though, unless it's best, now certainly. "

"Sit still, Prudy, just as you are. The moon is shining into the window, on your tears, and it seems as if I could almost see a rainbow in youreyes!--There, it's gone now. What makes you talk so queer about God, Prudy? as if you knew a great deal more than I do?"

"I don't know half as much as you do, " replied Prudy; "but I used to lieand think about the Saviour when I had the lameness. --Hark! Is thatDotty laughing? Let's go in and see if she isn't 'most well. "

The child was indeed better; but for the next three nights she sufferedfrom severe attacks of the croup. Her sisters had not known how theyloved her till she showed her frail side, and they saw how slender wasthe thread which bound her to earth. When she was strong, and roguish, and wilful, they forgot that she was only a tender flower after all, andmight be nipped from the stem any time. 

When she was well again, Prudy said to her mother, in confidence, "Itdidn't kill her, the croup didn't, but it might have killed her; and I'mgoing to love her all the time as if she was really dead, and gone toheaven. "

CHAPTER XI. 

BUYING A BROTHER. 

"One, two, buckle my slipper! no, my gaiters, " repeated Miss Dimple, asPrudy laced her boots. "I wish I was a horse, then my shoes would benailed on, and be done with it. "

"I'm so glad, " said Prudy, putting on her hat, "that we can go tohousekeeping again. "

They had built a shingle palace on the bank of the river. It was aswhite as chalk could make it, and glared like a snowdrift out of a clumpof evergreens which were no taller than dandelions. 

"Our house is shaded so much, " said Prudy, "that it makes me think of alady with hair over her eyes. "

The entrance to the little palace was through a swinging door, of whitecloth, and from the roof fluttered a small flag. There were four roomsin the house, all of them on the ground floor. The parlor was elegantlyfurnished with a braided carpet, of striped grass, a piano, whose blackand white keys were put on with coal and chalk, not to mention otherarticles of luxury. The table was spread with acorn-cups and poppyteapots, the little housekeepers being advised not to make use of theirchina dishes for this establishment. 

There was a very black stove in the kitchen, but the most of thecooking was done out of doors, farther down the bank, in ovens shapedlike swallows' nests. Here were baked delicious mud cakes, temptingcurrant tarts, and dainty custards. 

Nothing pleased Miss Dimple so well as to govern a household. She ruledwith a rod of iron. 

In the midst of a caution to her servant-maid, Prudy, "not to burn herbiscuits as black as so'-leather, " she was surprised to see hertwinkling off a tear. 

"O, Prudy, I didn't mean to scold, " said she, in the tenderest tones. 

"Poh, as if I minded your make-believe, Dotty! I was only thinking aboutaunt Madge--that's all. "

"What has she done?" asked Dotty as she went on stamping her mud cakewith the head of a pin. 

"It isn't done yet, Dotty; but it will be. She's going to be married. "

Dotty dropped her mud-cake. "Why! who to? Abner?"

"O, dear, no! To Mr. --I mean Colonel--Augustus Allen. Didn't you everhear of that?"

"Was that why he sent his objections to mamma?" asked Dotty, in a lowvoice. 

"He sent his _respects_ to mother, if that's what you mean; and in thesame letter he said, 'Give oceans of love to Prudy. ' As if it wasn't badenough to break my heart, without trying to drown me, " murmured Prudy, with dripping eyes. 

"I don't see what you're crying for, " broke in her little sister. "Ishall marry my papa one of these days. I should think you'd feel badderabout that. Who's _you_ goin' to marry, Prudy?"

"Nobody, Dotty, as long as I live! I shall stay at home with my mother, and she'll be sitting in the rocking-chair, knitting, and father'll besitting by the window, reading the paper. --But there, " added she, "auntMadge might be married three or four times, and I wouldn't care. It'sher going to New York that makes my heart ache so. "

"Well, shell come back bimeby, " said Dotty, soothingly. 

"O, " replied Prudy, with a wise smile; "seems to me when I was fouryears old I knew a great deal more than you do, child! People that aremarried stay away always. "

"I wish they wouldn't, " cried Dotty, beginning to feel alarmed. "I'llask Colonel 'Gustus to marry Abby Grant after she gets growed, and letmy auntie stay at home. "

"The worst of it is, " continued Prudy, glad of her sister's sympathy, such as it was, "Colonel Allen is a lawyer. "

"Well, isn't lawyers as good as white folks?"

"The only trouble with lawyers, Dotty, is, that they can't write so youcan read it. My father told me so. He said their writing was liketurkey's tracks. He said it looked as if a fly had got into theinkstand, and crawled over the paper. "

Dotty's face was the picture of distress. 

"It's a drefful thing to grow up a nidiot, " said she, drawing her mouthdown as she had seen Prudy do when beseeching her to learn the alphabet. "Don't he know all the letters, skippin' about?"

Here aunt Louise's voice was heard, from the piazza. She asked if thechildren would like to go with her and see Mrs. Gray's baby. After alittle washing and brushing they were ready. 

"Auntie, " said Dotty, as they walked along, "you've got myporkmonnaie. "

"Very true; so I have. "

"How much money is in my porkmonnaie?"

"Two dollars and a half. Why?"

"'Cause I want to give it to Mr. Colonel Allen, to make him marry AbbyGrant when she gets growed. I 'spise her, and I want her to go to NewYork. There's where the husbands and wives go. "

Miss Louise laughed. 

"Very well, " said she; "you may give the money to 'Mr. Colonel, ' andI've no doubt you can persuade him to marry any one you please. "

Dotty smiled with entire satisfaction, but Prudy looked inquiringly intoher auntie's face, not believing it possible that Colonel Allen wouldreally change his mind for two dollars and a half. 

The children went wild over the sleeping baby, Philip Gray. 

"He's a brother, isn't he?" said Dotty. "I wish he was mine. I haven'tany but Zip. I'd take my kitty out of the carriage, and put in thisbrother, and give him all my sugar things. "

"Well, " said Dr. Gray, with a flicker of fun in his eyes, "the baby isnot of the least use to me, and if you like him, my dear--"

Dotty danced about the cradle. 

"He's nicer than a squir'l catched in a cage. O, he is!"

"That's just as people may fancy, " said Dr. Gray. "Now I think, for mypart, a squirrel would be less trouble, for he could get his ownliving. "

Dotty peeped into the doctor's face with her bright eyes, to make surehe really liked squirrels better than babies. 

"But, " continued he, very gravely, "it may be his mother might object tomy giving him away. I don't know why it is, but she seems to value himvery highly. She would expect some money for him, I think. How much areyou willing to pay?"

Dotty reflected. She possessed several dollies, a new tea-set, a box ofpicture-books, and a red morocco ball. But what would Dr. Gray care forthese, or her various other toys? All her money was contained in herportemonnaie, the money which she had meant should put a stop to heraunt Madge's dreadful marriage. Should she save her auntie, and give upthe baby? Or should she buy the baby, and leave her auntie to her fate?

The struggle in her mind was a severe one, but it did not last long. 

"O, " thought she, looking at the little sleeper in the cradle, "I'drather have him than aunt Madge; for he'll stay to our house, and sleepin my crib. "

"How now?" said Dr. Gray, pinching Dotty's cheek; "made up your mind?"

"Yes, sir, " replied the child, with her finger in her mouth; "I'm goin'to buy him. I mean, I'm goin' to if I can get him for two dollars and ahalf. "

"A generous sum, " laughed the doctor. "Well said. Now, the next thingis, to obtain his mother's consent. "

This was very easily done, for Mrs. Gray, who was not strong, and hadonly a young girl in the kitchen, declared that, dearly as she loved thebaby, she found him a deal of trouble. 

Dotty's face was radiant; but Prudy, who understood that the wholeconversation was merely a playful one, looked down upon her youngersister with a sage smile. 

"Don't you think, " whispered Dotty, clutching her auntie by the dress, "don't you think we'd better be going?"

"Why, dear, are you tired of your brother so soon?"

"O, I want to get the carriage, you know, and the money to pay him for. "

Miss Louise, who knew that her little niece was terribly in earnest, nowtried to divert her with pictures; but Dotty was not to be wheedled byany such arts. 

"I'll tell you what we'll do, " said Dr. Gray; "we'll keep little Philfor you till he's as tall as a pair of tongs. "

Unfortunately there was a fireplace in the room, and Dotty's keen eyesat once espied the tongs, leaning against a brass rester. As quick as athought she seized them, and laid them in the cradle beside the baby. They were half an inch shorter than Phil--even the doctor was obligedto confess it. 

"Bravo! Miss Bright Eyes, " said he, catching up Dotty, and whirling herover his shoulder; "you have a shrewd little brain of your own. I seeyou can be trusted to make your own bargains. "

The baby had been for some moments nestling uneasily, and of course wasbroad awake by this time, screaming lustily, as if to protest againstthe inhuman proceeding of being bought and sold. 

Dotty had just time to see that her "brother" had "nut-blue" eyes, whenshe was hurried away by her aunt Louise. 

For three days the expectant child was kept in suspense by mirthful Dr. Gray, who pretended that he should bring the baby to her some time whenshe did not expect it. She often rushed into the parlor, saying, "O, Ithought I heard somethin' cryin';" and almost cried herself becausethere was no baby there. "I wish I could stop expecting my brother, "said Dotty, sorrowfully, "for then he might come. "

But, at last, after her young heart had throbbed again and again withfalse hopes, she began to see that she had been cruelly deceived. Dr. Gray did not mean, and never had meant, to sell his baby. 

"He tells too many fibs, " said Dotty, stamping her foot, and lookingvery much flushed; "he cheated me, he did. "

"Now, Susy, do you think it was right to cheat her so?" said Prudy, sorry for Dotty's disappointment. 

"I don't know, " replied the older sister, hesitating. "Dr. Gray is areal good man. I don't believe he meant to cheat. Father wears papercollars sometimes, and makes believe they are linen; but then, you know, _father_ wouldn't cheat! Dr. Gray was only joking. The trouble is, Dottyis too little to understand jokes. Dr. Gray didn't mean to break hisword. "

"Well, if he didn't break it, he _bent_ it, " replied Prudy, positively. 

CHAPTER XII. 

A WEDDING. 

"I shan't buy any more brothers as long as I live--now you see if I do, "said Dotty Dimple, with quivering lips. 

"Come here, little one, and sit on my knee, " said Colonel AugustusAllen. "Can't you think of something next as good as a baby brother? Howwould you fancy a grown-up uncle!"

Dotty looked wonderingly into Colonel Allen's face. 

"Who's got any to sell?" said she. 

"Possibly the minister may have, " said Colonel Allen, laughing. "Youwait till this evening, and very likely he may be here. Then you can goup to him and say, 'Please, Mr. Hayden, will you sell me an uncle?'"

"But he'll cheat me--he will, " said Dotty, shaking her finger. 

"O, no, never fear. Just try him, and see. Here's a sealed envelopewhich Susy may keep for you till night. "

"And shan't I have to spend the money in my porkmonnaie?"

"Not a cent of it, chickie. "

Something was going on which was called _a wedding_; though what awedding might be, Miss Dimple had no idea, having never attended one inall her life. But it was something remarkable, no doubt, for the parlorsware glowing with flowers, and everybody was in a flutter. The threechildren, dressed in their very best, were allowed to sit up for thewhole evening, or, at any rate, as long as they pleased. 

It was as lovely out of doors as "a Lapland night. " The full moon andthe gay lamplight tried to outshine one another. 

"Do look at that great moon dripping down the juniper tree, " criedPrudy, growing poetical as she gazed. "Let me tell you, Susy, when themoon is young and little, it makes me think of a smile, and when it's agrown-up, full moon, it makes me think of a laugh. "

Just as Dotty was beginning to wonder whether she felt sleepy or not, the door-bell rang; and after that it kept ringing every few minutesfor an hour. By that time the fragrant parlors were almost filled withguests. Everybody had a few kind words for the children, and Prudylistened and answered with timid blushes: but Dotty Dimple was, asusual, very fearless, and perfectly at ease. 

Presently Colonel Allen, and Miss Margaret, and Miss Louise entered theroom. Dotty had been wondering where they were. 

"Now, " whispered aunt Louise, "now's the time to ask Mr. Hayden for thatnew uncle. "

Dotty stepped briskly up to the minister. 

"Here's a letter for you, " said she, "and it says, 'Will you pleasesell me an uncle, sir?'"

Mr. Hayden smiled, and asked the little maiden what sort of an uncle shewould like. 

"A new one, " she replied, bending her head one side, and peeping up inhis face like a tame canary, "and a soldier, too, if you've got any tosell. "

Mr. Hayden said he certainly had, and laughed when he spoke, thoughDotty could not imagine why. Dr. Gray took her up in his arms, anddeclared he would like to carry her home in his pocket. Such an idea!And Dr. Gray was the man who had cheated her! When he set her down againshe stood on her dignity, and carried her head like a queen. 

She had hardly crossed the room, and taken her station beside Prudy, when a hush fell upon the company. Dotty was inclined to think peoplehad paused in conversation to watch _her_. Colonel Allen and aunt Madgewere standing together, and Mr. Hayden in front of them. The guests werelooking at _them_, not at Miss Dotty Dimple!

Mr. Hayden began to talk very solemnly--almost like preaching. No oneelse spoke; no one smiled. Before Dotty could ask what they were doing, Mr. Hayden was praying; and after the prayer, which was so hearty andsimple that Dotty could almost understand it, the whole room was inmotion again. Everybody seemed suddenly bent on kissing aunt Madge, though what that young lady had been doing which was better than usualDotty could not exactly make out. But this, she concluded, was in someway connected with the entertainment called _a wedding_. 

"Come, now, little lady, " said Mr. Hayden, taking Dotty's hand, andleading her up to Colonel Allen, "here is the uncle you have bought. Heis new, and a soldier too. So you see I have done my best for you. "

"That?" said Dotty, pointing her index-finger at the bridegroom insurprise. "I know _him_; he isn't _new_. He is Mr. Colonel. He isn't myuncle a bit, sir. "

"True, he was not, five minutes ago, Miss Dimple; but the few littlewords you heard me say to him have made a wonderful change. He is nowyour uncle Augustus, and your aunt Margaret is Mrs. Allen. "

Dotty looked up bewildered. Her newly-married aunt was engaged intalking to the guests; but Colonel Allen was gazing down upon his newniece with an arch smile. 

"The minister did not cheat you, you see?" said he. "He has really givenyou what he promised. "

"I didn't want you to marry my good auntie, " was all Dotty's answer. 

"Ah, my dear, that is very sad! I was not aware that you had any dislikefor me. "

"O, I love you, " exclaimed Dotty, "'cause you carry me pickaback; _but_I wish you knew your letters skippin' about!"

The minister and the bridegroom smiled at this absurd little speech, andit was repeated to everybody in the room. Prudy felt very guilty, andblushed like a damask rose, for she knew where Dotty had caught the ideaof Colonel Allen's extreme ignorance. 

"I am very sorry, little Miss Dimple, that you object to me, " said thenew uncle; "but by and by you and I will take the big dictionary, andyou may point out the letters to me. I think you will find I know them'skippin' about. ' Is there anything else you have against me?"

"Yes, sir, " replied the child, earnestly; "you're a lawyer--my fathersays so. You wrote to him once. "

"Did I? What did I write?"

"A letter. "

"And where was the harm in that?"

"O, it looked like turkeys' tracks--he said it did. You wrote the letterwith a fly. You dipped him in the inkstand, and stuck him on a pin, andwrote with him. My father says so. "

"You surprise me, Dotty. I really don't remember it. Have you any otherreason for not wishing me to be your uncle?"

"I wanted you to marry somebody else. "

"Indeed! You ought to have mentioned it before! What young lady had youchosen for me, Miss Dimple?"

"Abby Grant, the little girl that went behind the tree and let me losemyself. I'd as lief she'd go to New York as not. If you'd only waitedfor her she'd have growed up. "

By this time Mrs. Parlin, though somewhat amused by her littledaughter's sharp speeches, thought it best to put an end to them bytaking her away into a corner. She was too much inclined to pertness. 

The evening was very delightful; but like everything else in this worldit could not last always. After the guests had departed, and before thedoors were closed or the lights put out, the three tired childrenslowly wound their way up stairs. 

"I'm glad it's over and done, " said Prudy, resignedly. "I've cried justall I'm going to. "

"I only wish Grace Clifford had been here, " murmured Susy, clutchinghold of the baluster. 

"Well, I don't wish nothing so there, " said Dotty Dimple, dreamily. 

And this is the last word we are to hear from her. She is nearly asleep. Let us bid her and her two older sisters a Good Night and PleasantDreams.