’ KATHERINE. ~ 93

“Yes, you must,” returned Katherine. “Sister is going
to make a pretty picture.”

Alfred reached out his hands for the slate.

_ “No, you cannot have it, naughty boy!” said Kath-
erine.

“Good boy,” said Alfred, complacently.

“Oh, do keep still!” Katherine cried, impatiently. “I
never saw such a child. Can’t you keep quiet a minute?” And
she gave him a little twitch to make him sit up straight.

That was too much for Alfred; down went his toys, and he
burst out crying.

“There!” said Katherine, “you are the crossest baby I
ever saw. Here, when I’m trying to amuse you, and am
staying in this old nursery just for you, you must go on like
that. Do hush! hush! I say!” and she shook her fingers
at him threateningly. But baby only cried the harder,
and Katherine, whose stock of patience was very small to
begin with, lost even the little she had, and scolded away, her
voice rising higher and higher, while Alfred’s screams rose in
proportion.

When the trouble was at its height the door opened, and
their mamma camein. “ Why, Katherine! what is the matter?
What has happened to the baby ?” she asked. |

“Nothing, mamma; he is just crying because he is
naughty. I told him to sit still while I made a pretty picture
of him, and he wouldn’t, but just got mad and cried.”