THE RAINY DAY.


The sky was all leaden and overcast when Master Sunshine woke up
one morning. The fast-falling rain-drops were so big and so close
together that it almost seemed as if some great sky-ocean was
pouring down upon the earth. It was too wet for him to go to
school, and he had to make up his mind to enjoy a quiet day in-
doors.

Almira Jane put on her waterproof and rubbers, and attended to the
hens and the geese; and in order to pay her back for doing his
work, Master Sunshine polished the silver spoons and forks with
whitening, and rubbed them with a chamois-skin until they fairly
gleamed. Then after he had tidied up the wood-shed, and cut paper
in a fancy pattern for the dresser shelves, he decided that he was
a bit tired of doing things, and he curled up in the big crimson
arm-chair by the dining-room window with a new story-book.

Presently Lucy's voice arose in a fretful wail.

Master Sunshine, I am sorry to say, shut his ears to her pitiful
cry. He was so comfortable and cosey and the story-book was so
interesting.

The wail became louder and louder. It was evident that Lucy was on
her way down-stairs. In a moment she was in the room by his side,
and by this time her wail had grown to a terrified scream.

"O Suns'ine! take zem kitty off!" she begged.