did not get the scolding she deserved that dreadful night.

Katy did not even pretend to be asleep when Aunt Izzie went to her room.
Her tardy conscience had waked up, and she was lying in bed, very
miserable at having drawn the others into a scrape as well as herself,
and at the failure of her last set of resolutions about "setting an
example to the younger ones."

So unhappy was she, that Aunt Izzie's severe words were almost a relief;
and though she cried herself to sleep, it was rather from the burden of
her own thoughts than because she had been scolded.

She cried even harder the next day, for Dr. Carr talked to her more
seriously than he had ever done before. He reminded her of the time when
her Mamma died, and of how she said, "Katy must be a Mamma to the little
ones, when she grows up." And he asked her if she didn't think the time
was come for beginning to take this dear place towards the children.
Poor Katy! She sobbed as if her heart would break at this, and though
she made no promises, I think she was never quite so thoughtless again,
after that day. As for the rest, Papa called them together and made them
distinctly understand that "Kikeri" was never to be played any more. It
was so seldom that Papa forbade any games, however boisterous, that this
order really made an impression on the unruly brood, and they never have
played Kikeri again, from that day to this.




CHAPTER V