The Birth-day. 17

 

on to reach the jessamine, and she wouldn't let
me have it, nasty old thing.”

“Oh, don’t say that, Harry, dear,” said Katie,
going up to him and putting her arm lovingly
round his neck. “You know mamma doesn’t
allow those chairs to be brought into the garden,
so of course Sarah couldn’t let you have it;
and I’m sure she isn’t cross, for she is always
ready to do all she can to please us. Never
mind the jessamine, I will pick all I can reach;
though it isn’t so large as the other, it smells
just as nice; and I’m sure Aunt Mary would
rather be without it than that we should get it
by doing what is wrong.”

“That’s right, my little woman,” said a voice
behind them, and, turning round, they saw their
papa. They ran to him for their morning kiss,
and then each taking a hand they walked beside
him. “I am glad to see, my little Katie, that
you have sense enough to give up cheerfully
what you cannot obtain, and that you see it is