Little Prudy's Dotty Dimple

d to allow her to have her own naughty way; and by the time she was four yea

ashamed she herself had felt when she first set out in earnest to go to school. For some t

ver be so stupid as I was

her letters, and poor Prudy blushed with shame

up her head, and tries to make the best of it. I'll not say a w

usy was away, Prudy called Dotty i

t me of?" ask

on't you wish you knew your A, B, C's

ee or four times, and lo

uestion is asked. Wouldn't you like to learn your letters, like a g

to learn my letters, like a goody gell; so there!" repli

a tone of deep distress; "how old

Dotty, drawing out her little cab, and throwing the mu

y, I can't bear to

carriage about the room, to give "Pusheen" an a

ful it is, Dotty, to grow

Pusheen had a fall; down came

ng," continued Prudy. "O, it's

a soft voice, kneeling, and peeping up

oped Dotty did not see her. She found she must hit upon some other pl

f you'll let me be your teacher, a

school! Would you send me

something for yo

eyes sparkling like blue gems;

ly freed herself from the shawl, and slyly leaped to the

ty, dancing about; "

to read if I'll tell you a story about ev

'll promige," cried Dotty, with a gleeful laugh

the box upon the floor. "I'll ring the little tea-bell, and call the schoo

let me sit in th

mine, because

said Dotty, loftily, "and I don't kno

oman; it's just as good. Glad you spoke of it, Dotty; 'twouldn't be prop

very demurely seated h

your first letter; guess what the picture mea

ncing at it; "that's a

a monkey, not quite: it

but just-do you, Prudy Parlin? Funny gell to keep school! Didn't you never see a monkey?

nkey, and ape is its baby n

't he?" said the young pupil, admir

The name of this letter is A. Look

d Dotty, to the tu

n't sing. I couldn't speak the letter better

for m

oint. She had begun her school w

said Dotty, settling

rudy, mildly. "'Please' is but a litt

and thank you

ice one. Once th

a a

t start right. Once Mr. 'Gustus

ho sail

that go puffing out of the bay. An

know? You w

Jacky was. When he was cold, Mr. Allen used to tuck him right

h as Zip? Did he ev

ing mischief he'd run round the floor of the ship, wagging his head the way I do now, as if he was as innocent as a whole l

're talkin' to somebody else, Prudy Parlin

Jacky got sick, and there were ev

hat b

e of Jacky, and brought him his

he have fo

things, on a

I was a

le, that's a h

want to be a ape. I wish I could go

t keeping school. What

earned a story. You're a funn

ld up th

d thing? You c

y Parlin!

wha

d Prudy, with empha

n't A noth

see how folks do keep school. I'm

acher proceeded to the next letter, which stood on the block for a ba

tory, she was tire

Prudy. See that whal

me to C, which stood for cat, Dotty seized her kitty and tried to feed her wi

uch. I'd eat a mouse w

eed, you needn't do it; I's just in fun. God didn't gi

this next l

you'd hush! I've

ay. I'll not give it up. Grandma says, 'Time and patience make the mulberry leaf i