The Yale expositor., 1898-08-19

and regarding Ruby with angry eyes
and a very red face.
"You rude little boy" says Ruby,
throwing down her paper in surprise,
and regarding the young rebel with
naughty stare; ''go to your copy at
once, or l will put you in the corner!
Meg is a naughty, naughty girl, and
II she does not tell me at once what
three times four is l will make her a
ounces cap"
Meg throws herself upon the carpet
in a paroxysm of fright; the disgrace
20 her mind sounds so terrible that her
howl changes into convulsive sobs, on
ly stopped when Bob shouts at the top
of his voice
Three times four are twelve, Meg"
Tree times four are twelve" sobs
Meg from her crouching position; and
then she goes on with her crying more
TRANQUILITY.
This open rebellion on Bob's part
causes Ruby to rise from her chair
and advance ominously towards the
culprit.
Il don't care-I don't!" cries Bob In
frightened voice. You can put me
on three ounces caps If you like"
Ruby makes no answer, but, having
reached his side, administers a sharp
box on each ear.
81 don't care" repeats Bob, whose
poor little face is crimson at the indig-
nifty.
Then you are wicked little boy"
says Ruby angrily; land as a punish
ment you shall do another whole copy
of pot-hooks."
L don't care" reiterates Bob dog
gedly, as Ruby roughly drags him
from his perch.
Now watch me whilst I set your
copy, and if you make a blot on this
page I shall punish you, remember"
II wouldn't be as cross as you for de
whole world" remarks Meg's chirping
voice at this moment with great decis-
ion. She has risen from the carpet,
and is regarding Ruby with a mixture
of dislike and fear.
Then there was silence in the apart
ment whilst Ruby labors through a
whole line Of stately pot-hooks-she is
always very careful about setting the
copy we'll. because the copy is occasion
ally shown to Mr.. Champley.
She makes a graceful picture, seated
on a low chair, and with her we'll
poised head bent eagerly over her task:
unfortunately, Bob and Meg are not
OF an age to appreciate beauty as a
mere study. Yet, notwithstanding this
| fact, Bobs keen eyes are fixed upon
her closely, though with no friendly
| look. Presently his keen gaze lights
upon a hair-pin standing loosely out
from Ruby's heavy plaits. Cautiously
very cautiously he first touches it.,
then draws it out and holds it up for
Meg's approval. That little damsel
smiles and dimples with delight.
Much pleased with his success, he
quietly withdraws another pin and
then another; but suddenly his exul-
tation changes into fright, for with a
slow movement the big shining plat
comes gliding down and falls at his
| feet.
"Oh, I didn't mean It," he says in a
tone of apology, "but your hair has
come off"
Even now he does not understand
the enormity of his offense, nor can he
comprehend why Ruby becomes so
alarmingly red as she stoops to pick
up her lost property.
did you cut it off, Bob?" asks Meg
| innocently.
mo. l only took out the pins, and It
fell off," explains Bob, who is full OF
CONSERVATION at the mischief he has
wrought.
you had no right to touch It." says
Ruby severely. "If your papa only
knew how rude you have been he
would have you punished" This she
says by way of warning the children
against repeating this contretemps at
home-httle does she understand their
perfect love and confidence in their
| father.
Her announcement only has the eff
feet Of sending tender-hearted Meg off
into spasmodic fit of weeping, so dis
tressed is she at the idea of causing
grief to her dear papa.
(To be Continued.)