A little boy called Tom was very fond of teasing. He used to call—“Bo!” in the baby’s ear, and startle the poor little thing. One Sunday he pinned a pocket-handkerchief on to nurse’s back as she was going to church, and she thought people were admiring her when they looked back. Another day he put some bran into her teapot, and nurse wondered why her tea was not so good as usual. Then he got a frightful mask, and jumping out of a dark corner, with a howl, nearly frightened the nursery-maid into a fit.

One day there was a child’s party. It was sister Mary’s birthday. When the children were taking their seats at supper, naughty Tom went behind Mary just as she was sitting down, and pulled her chair away. Mary fell, and hit her head against the fender.

Poor Mary was seriously hurt, and for a minute or two she lay insensible. Then Tom was really sorry, and repented what he had done. For all that, though, he was well whipped, and sent off to school next day. I daresay you will agree with me that he deserved his punishment.