ted the unreasonable child.

"I am very sorry, I am sure----" began the servant, when Bertha
interrupted her, angrily:

"That doesn't make any difference; I'm going to have the oysters, and I
shall not eat any breakfast until I get them."

A threat of this kind usually resulted in somebody flying around to
procure the desired delicacy, for the child was stubborn enough to keep
her word, and it was believed it would never do to allow one born to
such luxury to fast.

"I am sure this is a very nice breakfast, Bertha," Violet here
interposed. "This broiled chicken is delicious; those hot rolls are just
a lovely brown, and the sight of that golden omelet makes my mouth
water."

But Bertha would not be coaxed--that had been tried too often already
without avail. She threw herself back in her chair, a sullen, determined
look on her face.

"Come, dear; I am really quite hungry," persevered Violet, as she took
her by the hand to lead her to the table.

Bertha snatched it rudely away.

"I do not want any breakfast," she pouted.

"But it is very nice, and you can have the oysters to-morrow morning,"
urged Violet.

"I want them now. Mary, send John for them at once, and then have them
cooked immediately," the child commanded, arbitrarily.

"But, miss, it would take a long time, and you would be half famished
before you got your breakfast," remonstrated Mary.

"I don't care; I will have them!" Bertha insisted, passionately.

"No, dear, not this morning," Violet said, kindly, but firmly, and
thinking it best to take matters into her own hands and settle them once
for all. "Mary, roll Miss Bertha's chair to the table, and we will eat
what we have."

The girl turned to obey, but Bertha struck at her, saying that she was
to be let alone; she would not have any breakfast.

Violet thought a moment; then, with a significant glance at the servant,
she said, quietly:

"Very well, Mary; if Miss Bertha does not care to eat, of course she
need not. I will, however, have my breakfast now, as this nice chicken
will be getting cold. You may pour out a cup of coffee for me, if you
please."

She seated herself at the table and began to help herself to the various
viands, and entirely ignoring the presence of the sulky girl on the
other side of the room.

The servant looked very much amused at this new departure, while Bertha
appeared speechless from astonishment.

She had never been dealt with in this manner before, and di