Aunt Jo’s Scrap-Bag Vol. 1

longing for her tea. But Kitty sat behind the urn, and said gravely,--

'Go back, and enter the room properly. Will you never learn to behave
like a lady?'

Mamma looked impatient at the delay, and having re-entered in her most
elegant manner, sat down, and passed her plate for fresh trout and
muffins.

'No fish or hot bread for you, my dear. Eat your good oatmeal porridge
and milk; that is the proper food for children.'

'Can't I have some tea?' cried mamma, in despair, for without it she
felt quite lost.

'Certainly not. I never was allowed tea when a little girl, and
couldn't think of giving it to you,' said Kitty, filling a large cup for
herself, and sipping the forbidden draught with a relish.

Poor mamma quite groaned at this hard fate, but meekly obeyed, and ate
the detested porridge, understanding Kitty's dislike to it at last.

Harry, sitting in his father's chair, read the paper, and ate everything
he could lay his hands on, with a funny assumption of his father's
morning manner. Aunt Betsey looked on much amused, and now and then
nodded to the children as if she thought things were going nicely.

Breakfast was half over when papa came in, and was about to take Harry's