Kitty's Class Day and Other Stories

in flannel, so to speak; for his woollen mills left him no time for anything but sleep, food, and newspapers. Mrs. Dean was one of those exasperating women w

rd. There was a feeble little sister, whose patient, suffering face demanded constant love and care to mitigate the weariness of a life of pain. And last, but not least

might have done, perhaps, if flesh and blood had been as plastic as clay, but the live models were so exacting in their demands upon her time and strength, that the poor statues went to the

y comfortable, so I'll indulge myself in a blissful day after my own heart," Psyche said, as she shut

manner of queer evolutions, she was placidly repeating, "Deltoides,

in a shrill falsetto and ended in a gruff bass, as a flushed, dusty, long-

ow? Split your fingers with a cricket-ball again?" cr

llows because he got mad and s

rry,

ain it all; girls can't understand business; so you just tie me up, and don't worry," was the characteristic reply

studied the hand much yet, and may do mischief doing it up," s

ings do you, if you can't right up a little

hands and arms, not mend damaged ones," retorted Psyche, in a dignified

a-laughing before he began," growled Harry, pointing with a scornful grin a

w anything about it. Wait a few year

ies like a good one;" with which cheering promise the youth l

sting, and hoping to compose her mind, she took up The Old Painters and went on

friend,' she cried, 'I read in thy picture thy immortality!' As she spoke, her head sunk upon h

id Psyche, with

eared round the half opened door. "It's gingy-bread I'm making the day,

tenance, fearing to enrage Katy by a laugh; for the angry pa

fell to work on the deformed arm. An hour of bliss, then came a ring at the door-bell, followed by Biddy to announce callers, and add that as "the mistress was in her bed, miss mu

fled again to her studio, ordering no one to approach under pain of a scolding. All went well till, going in

l gone, so I just came to be near you; it's so lonely everywhere," she

b me. Wouldn't you like to play be a model and let me draw your arm, and tell you all about the

nted to be perched upon a high stool with one arm propped up by a dropsical plaster cherub,

ild? It shakes so I can't get it r

I try hard, Sy, but there doesn't see

and I'll be done," cried the artist, fo

ou can see the bunch

, de

, and when she drew again there was

mehow, and pretty soon there won't be any of me left but my little bon

at her heart. "I'm a sinful, selfish girl to keep you here! you're weak for want of air;

's neck, and the tired face brightened beautiful

all the time. I don't want to play, Sy; but just to lie on the grass with my h

njoying sun and air, sisterly care, and the "pretty things" she loved so well. Psyche did not find the task a hard one; for this time her heart was in it, and if she needed any reward she surely fo

ad to him, the boys had lessons and rips and grievances to be attended to, May's lullaby could not be forgotten, and the maids had to be looked after, lest burly "cousins" should be h

yet this was the teaching she most needed, and in time she came to see it.

d the pain if I could stay a little longe

ul tears that her summer had not been wasted; for the smile upon the little de

ry family, Psyche said, with the sweet self-

them;" and with this resolution she gave herself

by" till the little chair stood empty. All turned to Sy for help and consolation, and her strength seemed to increase with the demand upon it. Patience and cheerfulness, courage and skill came at her call like good fairies who had bided their time. Housekeeping ceased to be hateful, and peace reigned in parlor and kitchen while Mrs. Dean, shrouded in shawls, read Hahnemann's Lesser Writings on her sofa. Mr. Dean some

ver her face at the request, and her patient eyes grew bright and eager, as a thirsty traveller's might at the sight or sound o

ittle face again; for it grew like magic under her loving hands, while every tender memory, sweet thought, and devout hope she had ever cherished, seemed to lend their aid. Bu

d heart, soul, and imagination; for if one is goo