Edith. "If I knew how a dolphin looks, I'd draw one and give it to him
just for fun. But mamma, you don't expect me to go to school to that
little girl; now do you?"

"Certainly not, Edith; oh, no."

"Must _I_ go to Grandmother Graymouse?" whined Jimmy, "She's only my
sister. And I came up here to play."

"Play all you like, my son. No one will ask you to go school."

"But _I_ really want to go," said Nate. "I wouldn't miss it for
anything. A girl's school like that will be larks. Only four hours
anyway, two in the forenoon and two in the afternoon. Time enough left
for play."

"H'm, if that's all, let's go," cried Jimmy. "We can leave off any time
we get tired of it."

Kyzie heard this as she was crossing the hall.

"Why, boys," she said, "you don't live in Castle Cliff! It's the Castle
Cliff children I'm going to teach--the little ones, you know."

"But papa said if you'd show me about my arithmetic--" began Nate.

"Perhaps I don't know so much as you do, Nate. But if you go you'll be
good, won't you--you and Jimmy both?"

She spoke with some concern. "For if you're naughty, the other boys will
think they can be naughty too; and I shan't know what in the world to do
with them."

"Oh, we'll sit up as straight as ninepins; we'll show 'em how city boys
behave," said Nate, making a bow to Kyzie.

He could be a perfect little gentleman when he chose. He liked to tease
Jimmy, younger than himself, but had always been polite to Kyzie. Still
Kyzie did not altogether like the thought of having a boy of twelve for
a pupil. What if he should laugh at her behind his slate?

Here Barbara and Lucy appeared upon the veranda, holding Edith's new
kitty between them.

"We're going. We'll sit together and cut out paper dolls and eat figs
under the seat," declared Lucy, never doubting that this would be
pleasing news to the young teacher.

Before Kyzie had time to say, "Why, Lucy!" little Eddo ran up the steps
to ask in haste:--

"Where's Lucy going? I fink I'll go too."

Kyzie could bear no more. She ran and hid in the hammock and cried. They
all thought she was to have a sort of play-school; did they? They were
going just for fun. She must talk to mamma. Mamma thought the school was
foolish business; but mamma always knew what ought to be done, and how
to help do it. Or if mamma ever felt puzzled, there was papa to go
to,--papa, who could not possibly make a mistake. Between them they
would see that their eldest