her luncheon and drank a big glass of milk, the detested stairs
began to assume a rather more attractive air.

And so, when Jane came to take the tray away she found on it only
empty dishes, while Marjorie, who was cuddled up in a corner,
reading, looked at her with a smile.

"The day is half gone!" she announced, triumphantly. "And, Jane,
won't you ask Grandma if you may bring me a glass of water so I
can paint. But tell her I don't want it unless she's perfectly
willing."

Grandma smiled a little at the stipulation, but sent Marjorie the
glass of water, and the child filled up half an hour or more
painting pictures. But the cramped position was very
uncomfortable, and Marjorie grew restless and longed for exercise.
Suddenly an inspiration seized her, and she concluded it would be
great fun to slide down the banister. For a few times this was
amusing, but it stung her hands, and finally she fell off and
bumped her head rather soundly.

"It's lucky I fell on the stair side," she said to herself,
rubbing the lump on her forehead, "for I promised Grandma not to
leave the stairs, and if I had fallen off on the other side I
should have broken my promise!"

The afternoon hours seemed to move rather more slowly than the
morning. Occasionally, Marjorie's naturally cheerful disposition
would assert itself and she would bravely endeavor to occupy
herself pleasantly in some way. But there was so little light, and