Aunt Madge's Story

l again from that day to the day he died; and little witch and try-patience thoug

een the least bit proud I couldn't have borne it; but even as it was, it wore upon me. Once I called out in severe tones, "Ho, little lie-girl; got a pairsol too!" but was so ashamed of it next minute that I r

me to the na

bout "Lize." When she fixed her big black eyes upon you, she made you think of all sorts of delightful things you wanted to do, only they were strictly forbidden. Her father and mother were not very good people, and did not go to church Sundays. They lived in a low red house near the Gordons. You never saw it, children; it was pulled down e

loaded. It seemed as if the family must have lived half the summer on currants and molasses; for almost every night there was Lize Jane with her big tin

e couldn't let her come any more after that night; the rest of the fruit must be saved for our own use. Lize Jane said nothing, but she rolled

e kitchen, and

e to pick you a b

d so ready to get me my sun-bonnet. She had to reach it down from a hook in the ceiling. That w

to the box and get two or three, I had sometimes taken a whole handful. I knew by the pricking of my conscience that that was wrong, and in the same way I

with all my might. "My bowl fills up faster 'n your pail," said I. "Cau

at for, Lize Jane?

in'; but mother told me to, so's

ned m

didn't use to care, but now the currants a

thought Mrs. Bean was a queer wom

party before they're al

t pa

e you're goi

new my heart wa

fully," said I, "but

Jane, in surprise. "Why, F

Tempy Ann made u

such a monstrous nice house, and wouldn't ask me to her party; that's why. Moth

mn snap of her black eyes; but it came to me years afterwards, and I think it the worst te

r party, won't you?" said

don't have on

will have one; how can you help it, with

s with a gloomy eye. We certainly had enough to eat, and

ot any cake in the

. I was not in the habit of talking to Lize Jane of family matters; but she had sho

turned Lize Jane, in a pitying tone. "Ain't you goin' to have

ould have wailed; but was I going to have Lize Jane go home

ize Jane Bean? You never

that. Good to eat, too. And I'll tell you what; if you'll a

t, Lize? I

ce was won

cious ideas. I could almost see apricot preserves, pine apples, and honey-heart cherries floating in the

vered dish, 'thout any party, for my moth

what I was goin' to bring

use talking; she couldn't be moved any mor

ain't much

ied I; "her str

me girls to come, and she'll get

hat I almost fell

an, what you

d your mother

don't 'low me to do things, Lize Ja

ant a party so dreadful bad, Maggie, or she woul

aid I might have

a bad woman, your mother ain't, only she do

stripping currant-stems very industriously. "She'd feel g

l! 's if I'd do it 'thout

I didn't know but you could ask me and some of the girls

s what you meant. But I

to; but I didn't know but you'd like

" said I, thoughtfully. "Is that what you's going to b

ertain sure

cious face, that filled the

g it if I didn't as

g her eyes in deep meditation. I don't hardly think I co

'thout

more, if you're s

ter. With my usual r

I'll as