Ester Ried

her constant flow of fun; thoughtless, nearly always selfish too, as the constantly thoughtless always are. Not sullenly and crossly selfish by any means, only so used to think of

ght and very busy

wash up these baking dishes? Maggie is moppin

dining-room, with Minnie perched triumphantly on her s

t on my white dress first, if I

pink gingham, ruffled apron

his distressingly big apron of yours, wh

apron; I don't wa

I won't hurt it the least spec

wrap her tiny self in

" exclaimed her mothe

or you'll tumble in and drown yourself before I could fish you out with the dish-cloth. Where is that

hen," said E

ant these washed?" And she seized upon a

baking-tins, ready for use; now you've got them

On foot? They look pret

I'd rather wash dishes all the f

musn't go near Auntie Essie again. She'

ter had been tried with petty vexations all that

at a silly child you are. Ca

ployment on hand as dish-washing. Does it require a great deal of grav

been seated on the table, dire

"O Sadie! what possessed

hroat, by this time, if she could have got to them. See here, pussy, if you don't keep your feet still, I'll tie them fast to

a little too hard; and the pan being drawn too near the edge,

ater splashed over her, even down to the w

roar. Ester left the eggs she was beating, and picked u

p stairs. You're too full of

ing herself out of the great wet apron, la

y. We didn't d

said, as he met them in the hall

deluge; this time of dish-water, and B

rld more disagreeable than all the rest, it

y evening, as he stood on the piazza waiting for Mr

he answered, in

ee it is. They're no better nor pleasanter than other p

u into that stat

store to-day suggested this matter to

Sadie said thoughtf

ristian though; it's be

l you were gray to fin

she isn't a Ch

e Mr. Hammond

ar as I can see. I don't like him half so well. And Hol

gleefully, "I dont k

tian, but I guess she

n't. There's Ester;

ur

religion, than you do without it? For my part, I

," she said, brightly. "But you're very much mistaken if you think I'm the best. Mother would lie

"I always liked butterflies bette

ng more gravely, "I'm afrai

tell you one thing-

stia

letters down to him fr

ett wen

y-came with slow, feeble steps, and sat down in the do

ffice for me? I forgot to sen

at is if you think you

ren

stairs. "Florence out here to-night, with the dew falling,

me enjoy this soft a

r go home directly. You are very imprudent.

out Florence Vane for?" Ester asked this question late i

Why, you know, she ought to be very careful; and I'm afraid she isn't. The doctor told her fathe

ke her out very sick, so that he may have the honor of helping h

w what is the matter with you to-night. You know that Florence Va

e had ever known, and she was rasped until there was no good feeling left in her heart to touch. Little Minnie had given

ied tears on my white apron,

down hastily,

er thorns. He crossed her path quite often, either with close, sear

was repeating a few words of prayer, thought of Mr. Arnett's words spoken that evening, and, with her he

so much asleep, that she did not know, at least did not