relieve its monotony, and on the colourless lady it had a very
dull effect. But, though languid, Aunt Adelaide was quite able to
give orders for what she wanted. She sent Mary for another book,
and for more sugar for her lemonade. Then she fidgeted because a
stray sunbeam came too near her.

"Mary," she said, petulantly. "Oh, I sent Mary away, didn't I? How
long she's gone! Mona, can't you find a screen somewhere to shade
that sun a little?"

"There are screens to roll down from the veranda roof, Aunt
Adelaide; but it is so shady here, and they cut off the breeze so.
However, if you want them down---"

"I certainly do," said the lady, and as Mary returned then, she
lowered the rattan blinds.

But they were no sooner down than Aunt Adelaide wanted them up
again, and when at last she became settled in comfort, she asked
Mona to read aloud to her.

"Please excuse me," said Mona, who was thoroughly annoyed at the
fussing and fidgeting ways of her aunt, "I am a very poor reader."

"I can read fairly well," said Patty, good-naturedly. "Let me
try."

She picked up Mrs. Parson's book, secretly amused to find that its
title was "The Higher Health," and she began to read as well as
she could, and Patty really read very well.