  hange; Dick has a cough." "He didn't drown," said Tom, "because we had tied a rope to it, and a fisherman pulled it up." "And where is Dickie?" "I told him to go up on the roof and dry—he's on the leads by now. It's awfully nice there; we went this morning." "On the roof!—Susie, tell him to come down, whilst I get their clothes.—Tom, how can you do such things?" "Why, you never told us not to," said Tom, with innocent eyes. Susie crept upstairs, very white and quiet. She had been really frightened, and she had an uncomfortable feeling at the back of her mind that somehow it was her fault. She found Dick scrambling on to the roof, and hauled him in with unnecessary vigour. When she got downstairs she was sulky because her mother had not time to listen to her eager excuses, but put her hastily on one side. "Never mind now, Susie. The first thing is to slip off your wet clothes and get dry, and then help me with the others. Give me the big towel, and untie Amy's frock." "But, mother," argued Susie, "I couldn't guess he was going to be so naughty, could I?" "You didn't try to guess," said Tom resentfully; "and now you are trying to make mother think you are better than me. You wouldn't hem our sails or dig with us. We had to do something." "And now you want me to quarrel," said Susie.—"Mother, I want to explain." "Hush, Susie! there is no time to explain now; you must tell me by-and-by." Susie flung the towel on to the floor, and felt a great lump in her throat. Dick had to be dried and warmed, in order to stop that horrid little croaking cough; and no one cared for her excuses or explanations. With angry tears blinding her she ran across to the nursery, and stood looking out at the silver line of sea and the bobbing ships. Alick was stretching in his cradle, and it creaked under his weight. She could see his curly head and his outstretched fat legs. He was so accustomed to having his legs admired that he always pulled up his petticoats solemnly to exhibit them, as though pathetically hoping to get it over and have done with it. Susie's ill-temper evaporated like smoke. She flung herself beside the cradle, and hugged Alick in her arms, leaning so closely over him that nurse, in hurrying to and fro, paused to expostulate. "Not so close, Miss Susie, please—the child can't breathe; and I don't want you putting any of your naughtiness into his head." "How can I, when he can't walk?" said Susie indignantly. "Well, I wouldn't put it beyond you," said nurse. "I know you've been up to something, or you wouldn't be here now, looking as if butter wouldn't melt in your mouth." "I'm trying to be good," said Susie, still indignant. "Well, we shan't see the result yet awhile," said nurse, "for the way you've devil-oped these holidays is past imagining." She always pronounced it in that way, and the word held a dreary significance for Susie. |
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