If you're so tired," said Willie, "why don't you play school? I'll be
the first class."

"So will I," said papa, laughing.

"O, that will be splendid!" said Nelly, clapping her hands.

"Will you be the teacher, mamma?" asked Frankie, quite forgetting his
fatigue.

"No, dear, Willie may turn his back to the horses, and be the teacher
first. You can take turns."

"Why didn't I think of this way before?" said Willie; "it's real nice.
The rain came pouring right in my face. Now I can put this shawl up, and
keep it all off."

"You crowd my knees dreadfully," said Frankie.

"Don't be impatient, dear," said his mother. "We must all try to be
accommodating when we are out in the rain. Your brother has been sitting
very patiently with the rain beating in his face, and you will be glad,
I'm sure, to have him with us behind."

"I can't move my feet at all," said Frankie, in an impatient tone.

"Move a little this way, then; I am sure we can make room for all.
Perhaps," she said softly, "there is somebody in your corner who ought
to be driven out."

The little boy turned quickly round before he thought that his mother
meant Satan; and this made them all laugh. Frankie was still rather
fretful, but Willie began blowing with all his might. Willie and Nelly
both looked so merry that he put away his naughty feelings, began to
laugh, and soon found plenty of room on the seat.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IV.

PLAYING SCHOOL.

"Now I'll give you a word to spell," said Willie; "I bet none of you can
spell it right."

"Don't say _bet_, my dear," said his mother. "It is not a good word to
use. Beside, you are a teacher now, you know."

"The boys at school all say _bet_, mother," answered Willie. "I don't
see any hurt in it."

"But do they really bet?" asked his father.

"O, no, indeed, sir! It is only a habit they have of saying so."

"It is a low expression," said his mother. "I wish you wouldn't use it."

"Well, I won't, mother, when I can think of it. But I'll give you the
word. It is Constantinople."

"It is a long word," said mamma. "But I will try it;" and the lady's
eyes twinkled as she began, "C-o-n, Con; s-t-a-n, Constan!"

"Stop! please stop, mother!" shouted Willie, laughing heartily. "You
know it; let me try father?"

"No, try me," said Nelly; "try me once!"

"Well, I will. Spell Con."

"C-o-n, Con," repeated Nelly slowly, looking steadily in her cousin's
face.

"That is right; stan."

"