"What lessons, auntie? Why, it is the holidays!"

"Lessons in patience, my dear. Isn't something always happening which
you have to be patient about?"

Susy thought of Prudy's habit of disclosing secrets, Dotty's trying way
of destroying playthings; and now this long delay about her present. She
began to think there were a great many vexations in the world, and that
she bore them remarkably well for such a little girl.

"Yes, thee must let patience have her perfect work, Susan," said grandma
Read, after the "silent blessing" had been asked at the table.

"Mayn't I go, too?" said Prudy, when she saw her father, her auntie, and
Susy leaving the house just after breakfast.

And she went, as a matter of course; but the pavements were a little
slippery from sleet; and Prudy, who was never a famous walker, had as
much as she could do, even with the help of her father's hand, to keep
from falling.

"Why, Prudy," said Mr. Parlin, "what ails you this morning? You limp so
much that I believe you need crutches."

"I'm sick in my knee," replied Prudy, delighted to see that her lameness
was observed. "If _you_ had my knee, and it hurt, you'd know how it
feels!"

By this time they had reached a livery stable; and, to Susy's surprise,