This evening my aunt did not invite me to ride in the chaise, but took my little brother Albert instead. I was sorry for this--not that I would have gone, but I should have liked to have drawn myself up to my full height, and to have said--"No, I thank you, Mrs. W----." She kissed me, as usual, but I did not kiss her back--and I thought she felt it. I fear that I did not kiss my uncle very affectionately, though I knew he was not to blame.
I lounged about the gate for awhile, and made believe I felt very much at my ease--then I went out into the garden and sat down behind some lilac trees, and buried my face in my apron, and went off into a good hearty cry. I also relieved my hot, angry heart, by talking to myself, something in this petulant, passionate way:--"Oh dear, it's too, too bad! such fun as I have given up to get ready for this reading--so much good time wasted! It wasn't fair--it was right down mean in her to set me at those long, hard, crooked names, that never ought to be read--that never ought to have been made at all! She's mighty proud of knowing so much Scripture--just as if a minister's wife could help it! I don't love her--I'm glad she's gone--_I_ don't want to ride in her old chaise!"
In the midst of this fit of passion and ill-humor, my pretty white kitten came to me and rubbed against me coaxingly, purring very softly. But I let her purr away, and took no notice of her. Fido came bounding along, and, crouching down beside me, began rooting under my arm to get at my face, and licked my hand and whined, till, I am ashamed to say, I got out of patience, and gave him a smart slap on the jaws. He sprang up indignantly, and went and laid himself down under a currant bush, to pout. Then I hid my face in my apron again, and went on with my crying.
All at once, I heard my little brother calling me, from the other end of the garden. But I did not move--I did not answer him--but only muttered to myself--"It's too bad; they won't leave me alone a minute--they are all against me--I can't even _cry_ in peace." But soon I heard his voice and his step coming nearer. Then he stood over me, saying joyfully--
"Sister, sister, see here, what auntie sent back to you! She had it in the chaise-box all the while!"