hope it will be a lesson to you."

While Mrs. Eastman talked, looking very stately in her velvet dress,
Master Johnny was balancing himself on the hat-tree in the hall, as if he
scarcely heard what she said; but, in spite of his disrespectful manner,
he was really unhappy.

"I knew something would go wrong," continued Mrs. Eastman, "when it was
first proposed that you and Dotty should stand up together, and I did not
approve of the plan. What is the reason you two children must always be
quarrelling?"

"She is the one that begins it," replied Johnny. "If I could have stood
up with Prudy, there wouldn't have been any fuss."

"With Prudy, indeed! I dare say you would be glad to do so now, you
naughty boy. Your kind aunt Mary suggested it, but I told her, No. Since
you have hurt Dotty so terribly, you cannot be groomsman."

"O, mother!"

"No, my son. She is unable to perform her part, and you must give up
yours. Percy will take your place."

In spite of his manliness, Johnny dropped a few tears, which he
brushed away with the back of his hand; but his mother, for once in
her life, was firm.

I will not say that Johnny's disappointment was not some consolation to
Dotty, who lay on the sofa in the parlor with her eyes bandaged, while