like a girl who had got into boy's clothes by mistake, and Johnnie like
a boy who, in a fit of fun, had borrowed his sister's frock. And now, as
they all sat there chattering and giggling, the window above opened, a
glad shriek was heard, and Katy's head appeared. In her hand she held a
heap of stockings, which she waved triumphantly.

"Hurray!" she cried, "all done, and Aunt Izzie says we may go. Are you
tired out waiting? I couldn't help it, the holes were so big, and took
so long. Hurry up, Clover, and get the things! Cecy and I will be down
in a minute."

The children jumped up gladly, and slid down the roof. Clover fetched a
couple of baskets from the wood-shed. Elsie ran for her kitten. Dorry
and John loaded themselves with two great fagots of green boughs. Just
as they were ready, the side-door banged, and Katy and Cecy Hall came
into the yard.

I must tell you about Cecy. She was a great friend of the children's,
and lived in a house next door. The yards of the houses were only
separated by a green hedge, with no gate, so that Cecy spent two-thirds
of her time at Dr. Carr's, and was exactly like one of the family. She
was a neat, dapper, pink-and-white-girl, modest and prim in manner, with
light shiny hair, which always kept smooth, and slim hands, which never
looked dirty. How different from my poor Katy! Katy's hair was forever
in a snarl; her gowns were always catching on nails and tearing
"themselves"; and, in spite of her age and size, she was as heedless and
innocent as a child of six. Katy was the _longest_ girl that was ever
seen. What she did to make herself grow so, nobody could tell; but there
she was--up above Papa's ear, and half a head taller than poor Aunt
Izzie. Whenever she stopped to think about her height she became very