to the young story-teller, who began fluently: "There was once two
little boys called Jimmie and Frank. Frank was the biggest; he was very
strong and very courageous; and he learned his lessons very well when he
liked, but he did not always like. The two little boys had an aunt; she
was nice and pleasant sometimes, but more times she was cross and
disagreeable, and she spoiled Jimmie a great deal. One day they went out
to walk a long way, and saw lots of people riding, and Jimmmie grew
tired, and so did Frank, but Frank would not complain, and their aunt
was so unkind that she would not call a hansom; so when they came to a
great street Frank thought he would catch an omnibus, and he ran out
quick--quick. He would have caught it, but his aunt was so silly and
such a coward that she sent a man after him, who nearly dragged him
under the feet of a horse that was coming up, and they would both have
been killed if Frank had not called out to the cabman to stop."

"Oh, Cecil, that is you and I. _What_ a story! Auntie is not unkind, and
you did not call out," cried Charlie.

Katherine could not help laughing at the little monkey's version of the
incident.

"Cecil, Cecil, you must learn to tell the truth--" she was beginning,
when the door was opened, and a small, slight lady in black silk, with a
profusion of delicate gray ribbons, jet trimming, and foamy white tulle
ruching, stood in the doorway. She was very fair, with light eyes, a
soft pink color, and pale golden brown hair--altogether daintily pretty.

"Oh, mammy! mammy! where have you been all my birthday?" cried the elder
boy, rushing to her.