Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-10-15
PLAYING school.

around Madgc in confidential fashion a
they were walking home from schuo
one bright summer afternoon. ''becaus,
! had to 60 round b, Mrs Drew's I,
carry pattern for mother. jus
stepped into the kitchen TO rest a min
ute. and right on her big table was ;
| box OF honey. guess she saw me iook
| ing at 1t. for She asked mo If / like
honey. and | said, Yes M / do. but
| don't have any very often, for we don
keep bees AT our farm.
You know She keeps en- and | CUES.
she has lots OF honey, for she told m,
if | would come again some dav sho ,
give me some. She said | might ash
another little girl to come with me. anc
OF course | should ask you, for you are
my very dearest. most intimate friend
Madge responded to this affectionat,
compliment by hug which ncarly
stifed Dorothy. and exclaimed, Lets =
next SATURDAY,
"All right" said Dorothy. cause it.
four days before then: and that's lone
enough 10 wait. isn't it,"
Accordingly. the next Saturday after
noon sa" TWO cXpectant little girls. IL
the cleancst Of Bingham dresses ana
brand new sunbonnets. Just alike. going
along the country road 10 Mrs Drew s
big white farmhouse. Past the lonI
meadows white with daisies and sweet
with clover they went now skipping
and dancing to the music ~ the birds
now playing tag. until. brca:hless with
running and laughter. they had to sit
and rest on Il rock by the roadside. Tn
able to bring their eager feet TO a walk
for more than a minute at a time. they
soon found themselves at the front gate"
Do YOU s'pose she VIII give us the
honey first thing" asked Dorothy.
NO. | guess not" said Madge. whose
sense of propretN suggested that this
was hardly Ia be expected.
They did not have time To talk longer
Mrs. Drew had heard the faint tap
tap OF the old-fashioned brass knocker
" 81 nv
standing on tiptoe. and came to the door
with cordial greeting.
She invited them into the sunny sit
ting-room. where she was sewing. and
taken off and Madee and Dorothy made
to feel quite at home. told them storie.
about when she was q little girl
Now don you want to look at some
yes. thank YOU" said Dorothy. in
her polite tone, wondering if Mrs. Drew
meant this to occupy them while she
went after the honey
But evidently she did not: Tor. after
handing them the pictures. she resume
her seat by the window and began e
sew. The little girls glanced Significant
~ at each other as they looked over the
pictures. and their faces grew sober.
It's most four O'Clock. thought
Dorothy: and mother told me to he
sure and come home by five.
DO YOU s'pose she's forgotten tho
MadSc.
I'm afraid SO" Madge whispered back
Shall ask her for it, again wins
p.red Dorothy.
ION, no. said Madce. Il do not think
that would be polite. do you?
Poor Dorothy. After all the eager an
tiCipation of the week to be disappointed
now. especially when her dearest friend
What should she do?
"Dh. there's a bee she cried. a bright
idea striking her. As a busy insect III
search of sweets flew to .lc honeySucklc
10y the open window.
II see him" exclaimed Madce. catch
ing Dorothy's meaning. But Mrs. Drew
sewed on. with only a smile at the evi-
dent enjoyment of her small guests.
Plainly. this hint was not sufficient to
remind their hostess of the forgotten
treat and they would probably have tn
go home without the promised honey,
Suddenly Madge's face frightened and
she drew orntny toward her for a brief
whispered consultation. at the clos" OF
which Dorothy Jumped up and asked
Please may we play school in this
corner. Mrs. Drew
Yes, indeed said Mrs. Drew, ana
Madge exclaimed
You he the teacher. Dorothy. and I'll
be the scholars,
\ little table was taken for tn
teachers desk. and with becoming dig
rity Dorothy perchcd herself upon the
organ stool behind it. MadGc quickly ar
ranged three chairs. one behind another
and seated herself on &c last: Then
opening book taken from the what-not
she BEGAN to study very hard.
First class in SpeiiinSt called IN.
teacher. Madge closed her book and
came to the front
Madgc obcdicntiy "toed' bright greer
leaf i'll the carpet put her hands behind
her back and looked UP eXpectantly.
Spell honey.
Honey. HON. hon. e-y. honey; a sweet
fluid collected by bees. MadSe had beer
taught to define az well as to spell
Bless my heart" exclaimed Mrs. Drew
rising abruptly and leaving the room
The girls looked abaShed and the spell
ing class came to a sudden end.
II wonder if she knew We meant it?
said Madge.
II guess she did said Dorothy. for
she went out quicker'n | thought sh'
would. :
In a few minutes Mrs. Drew returned
bringing small tray which contalnet
a plate of tiny buttered biscuits and two
saucepates Of golden honey in the comb
Spreading a white cloth on the teacher
desk she put down her daintieS, saying
II don't see how | came to forget you
honey. but I'm g,ad enough you made m
think OF it before you went home.
Two very meek THANK y,ous Were m
only response she received. but Madg
and Dorothy ate the treat with keef
relish. and. after accepting an invitation
to come again, started for home,
That honey was very nice, MadSe, bi
I'm sorry We had to hint for IT. sait
Dorothy. as they walked slowly down tn,
road.
so am L. agreed Madge. 1T was Yer
embara ssing MARY f. McAllister, IN tn
Youths Companion.