This snub did not improve Katy's temper. She went on with her breakfast
in sulky silence.

"What are you all going to do to-day?" asked Dr. Carr, hoping to give
things a more cheerful turn.

"Swing!" cried John and Dorry both together. "Alexander's put us up a
splendid one in the wood-shed."

"No you're not," said Aunt Izzie in a positive tone, "the swing is not
to be used till to-morrow. Remember that, children. Not till to-morrow.
And not then, unless I give you leave."

This was unwise of Aunt Izzie. She would better have explained farther.
The truth was, that Alexander, in putting up the swing, had cracked one
of the staples which fastened it to the roof. He meant to get a new one
in the course of the day, and, meantime, he had cautioned Miss Carr to
let no one use the swing, because it really was not safe. If she had
told this to the children, all would have been right; but Aunt Izzie's
theory was, that young people must obey their elders without
explanation.

John, and Elsie, and Dorry, all pouted when they heard this order. Elsie
recovered her good-humor first.

"I don't care," she said, "'cause I'm going to be very busy; I've got to
write a letter to Cousin Helen about somefing." (Elsie never could quite
pronounce the _th_.)

"What?" asked Clover.