Kitty's Class Day and Other Stories

er, tired of working and waiting. If I'm ever going

helpless I am;" and poor Mrs. Snow sighed dolefully, as she glanced about

adful bore, for she lives in such terror of dropping dead with her heart-complaint that she doesn't take any pleasure in life herself or let a

her, mildly shocked; but a bluff little

what can be done to-day; next time she comes I'll remind her of

boy; never let me hear you say such a

te her, and you are more afraid of

ly oblivious of the racking tooth-ache which had been his excuse for staying from school. As cool, saucy, hard-handed, and soft-hearted a little specimen of young America was Toady as you would care to see; a tyrant at home, a rebel at school, a sworn foe to law, order, and Aunt Kipp. This young person was regarded as a reprobate by all but his mother, s

n't rub it out," he was wont to say, with vivid recollectio

to Aunt Kipp, or you'll be as poor as a little rat

business with Van and take care of the whole lot; so don't you preach, Polly," returned Toad

k?" asked Polly, after a pause of intense thought ov

ch dreadful palpitations she didn't dare stir from her room. So we are qu

awe-inspiring bonnet, who came walking slowly down the street. Polly gave a groan, and pulled a bright ribbon from her ha

" wailed Mrs. Snow, as the shadow

nd ruin everything," sighed Polly,

; she never will let a

scowlin

, an imperious voice called "Sophy!" and Aunt Kipp entered with a flourish of trumpet

advancing with a smile of welcome; for though as weak as wat

t was!" said To

ry, when a warning, "Mind now, Polly," caused her to stop

ore, come and kiss me," a

y, and, closing his eyes, Toady

did not come, for Aunt

has the boy go

e off," said Toady, stroking his variegated countenance

got no boys," cried Aunt Kipp. as if boys were som

d lady seated herself, and slowly removed the awful bonnet, whic

said Mary, reverently recei

much worse; my days are numbered; I stand on the

of the above-mentioned "brink," and looked unaffectedly anxious to see her drop. "Why don't you, then?" was on his

tea, aunt?" s

wil

est a little,"

won

ything for yo

away, and have

behests, and, leaning back in

he rug, where he sat rocking meditatively

very fierce, and folks

owledge of Natural

out the boy, with the hearty chil

nded the old lady, irefully p

artless frankness. "You are fat, you know, and fierce s

oving niece, and I shan't forget her, she may

u wouldn't give her the money; so I'll tell her it'

s some of my mo

your favorite nephew, and all that? I'll tell you a secret, if you won't let Polly know I spok

ed Aunt Kipp, turn

, though I do call him Baa-baa, because he looks like a sheep. We all like it, and we 'd all say so, if we were not afraid

ng "fixed it," than Toady's dirty little face, it would be hard to find. Aunt Kipp eyed him so fiercely t

y family. If Mary counts on my money to begin housekeeping with, she'll find herself m

sion. It all came out in one overwhelming flood of words, and Toady fled from the storm to wander round the house, a prey to the deepest remorse. The meekness of that boy at dinner-time was so angelic that Mrs. Snow would have feared speedy translation for him, if she had not be

ew will to-morrow, and leave every penny to the

d laughed when I told her about being a bore, and I thought she liked it. If she was a man, I'd thrash her for maki

ing the little turkey-cock with maternal pride. "You can't do

Kipp. She's worse than measles, any day,-such an old aggrawater

rse, he's so bashful and queer. I'm afraid our last chan

urst from Toady, and f

y, overcome with disa

to unmanly tears, he w

jackknife, with three

, he whisper

at the magnitude of this sacrifice atoned for everything, he