"No, but it would be just like telling a lie. But I can never get
it right while you are bothering me so," said Elsie, laying her
slate aside in despair. Then taking out her geography, she began
studying most diligently. But Arthur continued his persecutions--
tickling her, pulling her hair, twitching the book out of her
hand, and talking almost incessantly, making remarks, and asking
questions; till at last Elsie said, as if just ready to cry,
"Indeed, Arthur, if you don't let me alone, I shall never be able
to get my lessons."

"Go away then; take your book out on the veranda, and learn your
lessons there," said Louise. "I'll call you when Miss Day comes."

"Oh! no, Louise, I cannot do that, because it would be
disobedience," replied Elsie, taking out her writing materials.

Arthur stood over her criticising every letter she made, and
finally jogged her elbow in such a way as to cause her to drop all
the ink in her pen upon the paper, making quite a large blot.

"Oh!" cried the little girl, bursting into tears, "now I shall
lose my ride, for Miss Day will not let me go; and I was so
anxious to see all those beautiful flowers."

Arthur, who was really not very vicious, felt some compunction
when he saw the mischief he had done. "Never mind, Elsie," said
he. "I can fix it yet. Just let me tear out this page, and you can
begin again on the next, and I'll not bother you. I'll make these
two figures come right too," he added, taking up her slate.