r, go away! How you do worry, jumping and dancing about! And
what a stupid, good-for-nothing leaf you've brought! Fetch me one that's
not completely riddled with caterpillar holes."

Penelope's black eyes flashed fire, and her face flushed.

"If I could, I would just," she said.

"If you could you would what?" said Nancy.

"I know--I know! And I'll do it, too."

A provoking smile visited the lips of the child. She danced backwards and
forwards in an ecstasy of glee.

"I can punish you all fine," said Penelope; "and I'll do it, too."

She vanished out of sight. Now, it must be admitted that Penelope was not
a nice child. She had her good points, for few children are without them;
but in addition to being thoroughly untrained, to never having exercised
self-control, she had by nature certain peculiarities which the other
children had not. It had been from her earliest days her earnest desire
to curry favor with those in authority, and yet to act quite as naughtily
as any one else when she thought no one was looking. Even when quite a
tiny child Penelope was wont to sit as still as a mouse in nurse's
presence. If nurse said, "Miss Penelope, you are not to move or you will
wake baby," then nurse knew that Penelope would not stir. But if this
same child happened to be left with baby, so strong would be her jealousy
that she would give the infant a sharp pinch and set it howling, and then
run from the room.

These peculiarities continued with her growth. Nurse was fond of her
because she was quiet and useful in the nursery, fairly tidy in her
habits, and fairly helpful. But even nurse was wont to say, "You never
can get at Miss Penelope. You can never see through what is brewing in
her mind."

Now, when Aunt Sophia appeared on the scene, Penelope instantly
determined to carry out the darling wish of her heart. This was no less
than to be removed from the dullness of the nursery to the fascinating
life that she supposed the elder children led. To accomplish this she
thought it would be only necessary to make a great fuss about Aunt
Sophia, to attend to her fads, and to give her numerous little
attentions. In short, to show that she, Penelope, cared very much for her
new aunt. But Aunt Sophia did not care for Penelope's fusses, and
disliked her small attentions. Nevertheless, the small girl persevered,
and in the end she did win a triumph, for she was promoted to the
schoolroom, with its superior privileges and--alas!