much naughtier to pretend to be praying than to disobey Aunt Izzie and
be out of bed after ten o'clock, though I think Clover hardly understood
this then.

Aunt Izzie at once began to undress her, and while doing so asked so
many questions, that before long she had got at the truth of the whole
matter. She gave Clover a sharp scolding, and leaving her to wash her
tearful face, she went to the bed where John and Dorry lay, fast asleep,
and snoring as conspicuously as they knew how. Something strange in the
appearance of the bed made her look more closely: she lifted the
clothes, and there, sure enough, they were--half dressed, and with their
school-boots on.

Such a shake as Aunt Izzie gave the little scamps at this discovery,
would have roused a couple of dormice. Much against their will John and
Dorry were forced to wake up, and be slapped and scolded, and made
ready for bed, Aunt Izzie standing over them all the while, like a
dragon. She had just tucked them warmly in, when for the first time she
missed Elsie.

"Where is my poor little Elsie?" she exclaimed.

"In bed," said Clover, meekly.

"In bed!" repeated Aunt Izzie, much amazed. Then stooping down, she gave
a vigorous pull. The trundle-bed came into view, and sure enough, there
was Elsie, in full dress, shoes and all, but so fast asleep that not all
Aunt Izzie's shakes, and pinches, and calls, were able to rouse her. Her
clothes were taken off, her boots unlaced, her night-gown put on; but
through it all Elsie slept, and she was the only one of the children who