"Try to be patient," said Mrs. Parlin, gently. "Remember how young and
thoughtless your sister is. She never means any harm."

"O, but, mamma," replied Susy, "she _keeps_ me being patient all the
whole time, and it's hard work."

So Susy, in her vexation, said to Prudy, rather sternly, "You little
naughty thing, to go and tell when you promised not to! You're almost as
bad as Dotty. What makes you act so?"

"Why, Susy," said the child, looking up through her tears, "have I
_acted_? I didn't know I'd acted! If you loved me, you wouldn't look
that way to me. You wrinkle up your face just like Nanny when she says
she'll shake the naughty out of me, Miss Prudy."

Then what could Susy do but forgive the sweet sister, who kissed her so
coaxingly, and looked as innocent as a poor little kitty that has been
stealing cream without knowing it is a sin?

It was plain that it would not do to trust Prudy with secrets. Her brain
could not hold them, any more than a sieve can hold water. So Mrs.
Parlin took pity upon Susy, and allowed her and her cousin Florence
Eastman to lock themselves into her chamber at certain hours, and work
at their presents without interruption.

While the little girls sat together busily employed with book-marks and
pin-cushions, the time flew very swiftly, and they were as happy as bees
in a honeysuckle.