"That wouldn't be right. Susie likes to be teacher as well as I," replied
Annie, timidly.

"But don't you think you would have been happier to have been teacher all
the time, Annie?"

"I did want to be at first, but then I thought Susie would like it too;
and, after all, it was just as pleasant."

"I presume it was, my dear, and much more pleasant; no person can be happy
who is selfish. Do you know what it is to be selfish, my little Susie?"

"Yes, mother; you told Annie and I one day that it was selfish to want
every thing just to please ourselves."

"Do you love to run about the room, and laugh and play?"

"Oh, yes; you know we do, mother."

"Would you not rather have stayed down-stairs to play to-day?"

"Oh, yes," said Annie; "only----"

"Only what, my dear?"

"Annie means that you were sick, and didn't want us to make a noise; and,
really, we did try to play just as still as we possibly could."

"Why did you take so much pains to be quiet?"