Funny Little Socks Read online

reader? If not, let me beg you to begin right away. Arethey done now? Very well, then let us go on with the story.

  Pretty soon after, the children were dressed to go out walking; for itwas in the early spring time when all this happened, and still pleasant,in the cold country, to take the middle of the day for going out. SoKitty and Luly had their little blue poplin "coat-dresses" buttoned on,and the soft white woollen hoods tied under their rosy faces, and Walterwas decked out in _his_ new blue coat; which pleased him so much thathe distinguished himself immediately afterward by walking all alone awayfrom the door to the window, quite across the room, and there sittingdown suddenly on the floor, much to his astonishment. At last they wereall ready and started off, Kitty and Luly hand in hand, and Walter inhis little carriage.

  The road they liked best led along the top of a high bank, and wascalled "Buena Vista" terrace. There were very pretty houses built alonghere, shaded by tall trees; and if the children peeped cautiously overthe iron fence that guarded the edge of the bank, they could sometimessee the steam cars rushing along the shore below. They were very fondof watching the hurrying train go by, though it frightened them alittle, particularly when the engine gave a shrill scream beforestopping at the station about a quarter of a mile further on. Kitty andLuly couldn't help squealing too when that happened, and then laughingvery much, and scampering on, playing they were steam engines.

  Just as they were passing by the prettiest house on the terrace, outcame a young lady that Kitty and Luly knew and loved dearly, with a"tremendous dog" stalking slowly after her.

  "Why, Kitty!" she cried, "is that you? Nurse, do bring the children in.I want to see them so much!"

  So Mary went to open the gate; but before she could do so, up marchedBuffo, the "tremendous dog," and lifted the latch with his nose! Oh, howKitty and Luly did laugh and clap their hands! but their enjoyment andsurprise were at full height when the kind young lady, whom they calledMiss Ella, lifted Luly, and Mary held Wawa, on Buffo's shaggy back, andthe good fellow carried them both safely to the house. Wawa crowed andlaughed, and drummed with his heels against the side of his charger; butthe brave dog never tried to shake him off, and just walked gravelyalong, looking as trustworthy as possible. Then, when the littlechildren got off, Kitty mounted somewhat fearfully on Buffo's broadback, and rode all around the grass plot, laughing with delight.

  After that, Miss Ella made them sit down in a great rocking chair on theporch, wide enough for all three to get in at once, and asked them whatthey had been doing that morning; and then Kitty told about her beingLittle Mother, and Luly said, so funny, "Miniter tome see Luly andKitty, and tell funny 'tory 'bout Dilly, and Dolly, and Popply-polly;and 'en--and 'en I talled Dody Popply-polly, and s'e wan away!"

  That amused Miss Ella very much, and pretty soon she opened herwork-box, took out a paper of lemon drops, and gave Luly, and Kitty,and Wawa each a handful. Luly was a generous little puss, and wantedevery one to share her "goodies;" so she even offered a lemon drop toBuffo, when, what do you think the great black fellow did? He just puthis great fore paws on Luly's lap, opened his wide red mouth, and eat upevery one of the drops at a mouthful!

  Poor Luly opened _her_ mouth in rueful astonishment, and looked verymuch as if she was going to burst out crying; but Miss Ella consoled herby giving her some more drops, and Wawa thrust one of his into hermouth, saying, "Dog eat Luly's d'ops; Wawa torry."

  So they talked away till it was time to go; and then Miss Ella kissedher little visitors; and Buffo wanted to kiss them too, with his warmred tongue; but Luly took good care to be out of the way this time. Iexpect the little thing thought he would eat her up like a lemon drop;so Kitty let him lick her hand instead; and then Buffo let Miss Ella putLuly and Wawa on his back again, and rode them down to the gate, wherethey bid good-by to their kind friend.

  Tea was ready for them when they came back, and "when fell the dew" Lulyand Kitty went "cheerfully up stairs" to bed. And now a sweet, seriousexpression came over Little Mother's face, and her great brown eyes werefilled with loving reverence, as Luly, in her little white night gown,bent her golden curls on the lap of her sister, and lisped out "Now I_yay_ me down to s'eep"--that dear, precious little verse that I thinkall the children in the world must say; and prayed "Dear Jesus" to"b'ess papa and mamma, and dear sister, and 'ittle bedder, and mate Lulydood 'ittle child;" and as Little Mother's lips were murmuring thosewords after her, the door opened, and there stood her own dear mamma andpapa, just home from the city; and oh! I can't tell you half how muchthey loved their darling ones when they saw that sweet little scene.

  And then there was a merry frolic with papa, who rode Luly and Wawa onboth shoulders as well as Buffo did; and a happy time with dear mamma,who brought them three great oranges from grandma', and ever so manykisses for her share; and a holy, blessed time when that dear mammaknelt by her precious Kitty's bedside, and prayed God to bless and keep

  LITTLE MOTHER.

  FOOTNOTES:

  [Footnote A: Complain]

  [Footnote B: Reverence.]