Finally when all the guests had gone, Matilda saw Katrinka gather up
half of the presents and put them in a basket.

Then Katrinka stole softly up to Matilda's stoop and stamped her feet.
Matilda sat scowling by the dark window a long time before she finally
went to the door, for she was very peevish.

"This is a fine time to come stamping upon a person's stoop!" she
scolded, as Katrinka walked into the living room.

"Oh, sister," Katrinka cried, as she tried to kiss Matilda. "This is our
birthday and I have brought you half of the presents which were given
me! See?" and she piled the presents high upon the table.

"I do not wish them!" said Matilda, frowning at her sister. But Katrinka
could see that Matilda _did_ wish them.

"The presents were not for me, Katrinka!" she said.

"Oh yes they are!" Katrinka replied. "They were given to me and I give
them to you! I have saved one half for myself! But you should have been
to the party!" said Katrinka, "We had such a happy time!"

"I do not enjoy being with people!" Matilda scolded, "I wish to be left
to myself!"

"Yes, but Matilda," her sister said, "you do not know the happiness in
being kind and friendly to others!"

[Illustration]