"No, no, naughty mamma! I'll jus' frow it on the floor if you do," cried
the child, bursting into angry sobs.

"Shall mamma have some toast made for her?" (coaxingly).

"No, no! waffles! and butter on waffles, and 'lasses on butter, and sugar
on 'lasses!"

The mother laughed. It seemed to irritate the child still further; and she
screamed louder than ever, slid down from her chair and stamped her foot
with rage.

Mrs. Ross was deeply mortified at the exhibition. "Pick her up and carry
her to the nursery," she said to a servant.

Sophie kicked and struggled, but the girl,--a strong and determined
one--carried her away by main force.

"I'm dreadfully ashamed of her, Elsie," Lucy said, turning to her friend;
"but she's a nervous little creature and we must try to excuse her."

"A few hearty slaps would reverse the nervous currents and do her an
immense amount of good, Mrs. Ross," remarked the governess in her slow,
precise way.

"Slaps, Miss Fisk," returned Lucy reddening, "_I_ don't approve of
corporal punishment, as _I_ have told you more than once. I was never
whipped, and I don't intend that any of my children shall be."

"Most assuredly not, madam; but I was recommending it not as a punishment