e's Lizzie? Is she getting ready?"

"I think she is," replied Hepsy. "She was tending the baby; but that is
still now."

"I can't conceive how we are all going to ride," added Mrs. Royden. "I
don't know but I had better stay at home. The carriage will be crowded,
and it seems as though I had everything to do."

"There will be plenty of room in the carriage," said her husband, taking
the razor from his chin, and wiping it on a strip of newspaper. "Father
Brighthopes and I can take Lizzie on the front seat with us, and you and
Sarah can hold the boys between you. Chester and James are going to
walk."

Mrs. Royden continued to work, until she had but a few minutes left in
which to get ready. The second bell was ringing, and carriages were
beginning to go by.

"Come, wife!" again her husband exclaimed; "we shall be late. There go
Mr. Eldridge's folks."

"They are always early," said she, impatiently. "Do let me take my
time!"

But Mr. Royden called her attention to the clock.

"Dear me! who would have thought it could be so late?" she cried. "Where
the morning has gone to I can't conceive. Hepsy, come and help me slip
on my silk dress."

"Willie wants to ride his stick," said Hepsy; "and it is all dirt."

"Willie cannot ride his stick to-day!" exclaimed Mrs. Royden, sharply.
"Do you hear?"

Willie began to pout and mutter, "I will, too! so there!" and kick the
mop-board.

His mother's morning experience had not prepared her for the exercise of
much patience. She rushed upon the little shaver, and boxed his ears
violently.

"Do you tell me you will?" she cried. "Take that!"

Willie blubbered with indignation, being too proud to cry outright, with
his new clothes on.

"Stop that noise!"

Willie could not stop; and his mother shook him. This was too much for
his dignity, and he bawled with open mouth.

"You shall stay at home from meeting!" muttered Mrs. Royden. "Take off
his collar, Hepsy!"

"She shan't!" screamed Willie, throwing himself on the defensive. "I'll
bite her!"

"Come, come!" said Mr. Royden; "Willie is going to be a good boy, and go
to meeting like a man."

"He shall go into the closet, and stay there one hour!" exclaimed his
mother, snatching him up roughly.

Willie met with a providential escape. While he was kicking and
screaming in his mother's arms, the noise of a dire disaster filled the
kitchen, and contributed to drown his cries.

Georgie, reaching up to the water-pail whic