Baby Pitchers Trials | Page 4

hard
lesson, and Amy was determined to conquer it. Flora felt like talking,
and there was no one to talk to but Dinah. Dinah was a good listener,
but not much of a talker. In fact, she could not speak a word; so if she
had any ideas, she did not express them. Flora was tired of having
everything her own way. She thought it would be a great deal nicer if
Amy would put down that stupid book, and pay some attention to her;
but she did not say so aloud. She whispered it to Dinah in a tone that
only Dinah could hear. By and by Amy did put down the book, and
with it the sober, earnest look.
"Goody!" said Flora, clapping her hands, regardless of Dinah's peril.

But Dinah did not fall. Flora caught her by the neck just in time to
prevent a terrible blow. When Flora said "Goody," Amy opened the
window.
"It is you, is it?" she said. "I thought it was a mouse."
"It is only me," said Flora. "I am going out when the sun has drunk up
all the water."
"The sun is a thirsty fellow, my dear."
"He is," sighed Flora. "Dinah is tired of waiting."
"Flora is tired of waiting, I guess."
"Yes, Flora is."
"And what would she like to do while the sun is drinking?"
"Have fun," said Flora, laying the black baby down for a nap, with the
shawl drawn up over her head. "Dinah is asleep and I am ready."
"You are a dear little thing for keeping so still while I was studying,
and we will have some fun."
"Oo!" said Flora. "I have fifteen minutes to do whatever I please with,
and then I must be off. Now, what would you like to do?"
"Play something," said Flora, joyfully.
"Well."
"I should like to get out my china set and play dinner, with real sugar in
the sugar bowl, and apple cut up for meat."
"That would be jolly if we only had the time; but we have not."
"Oh!" sighed Flora.

Amy put on hat and coat, and tightened the strap around her books.
"How would you like 'mother' or 'tag?'"
"First rate," said Flora. "I will be the mother, and you may be 'it.'"
"All at once?"
"Yes. But if you catch me, it won't be fair."
"No, indeed," said Amy. "And you musn't start till I get my hand on the
post."
"No."
"And if you don't 'bey the rules we must begin over again."
"Yes."
"Ready?"
"Ready."
As Flora started to run, somebody called "Holloa!" So she stopped
short and asked, "Who is that?"
It was Charley passing by on his way to school, alone.
"You had better hurry up," he cried. "If you stop there fooling with the
Baby Pitcher, you will be late."
"It is early yet," said Amy; but Flora was angry and she stamped her
foot and screamed,
"'Taint late, either, Charley Waters; and you are an ugly boy to call me
that. My name ain't Baby Pitcher; my name is Flora Lee!"
"Whew!" said Charley. "The Lee spunk is running away with the little
pet. Catch it somebody!"

"You must not tease her," said Amy; "she wants to play."
"Don't either," pouted Flora.
"I thought you did."
"She wants coaxing," said Charley.
"Don't either, Charley Waters."
"You will play to oblige sister, won't you?" said Amy, soothingly.
No, Flora would not. Charley had interfered with their plans and ruffled
her temper. It was too bad of Charley, but then Charley was not wholly
to blame, for the Baby Pitcher's temper was easily ruffled. And now it
was really time for Amy to go. The fifteen minutes had melted away.
"I do not like to leave the little sister with such a sour face," she
whispered in Flora's ear. "If you will brush away the black looks and be
pleasant, you may ask mamma to let you write on my white slate."
"Till you come home?"
"Yes."
Flora with a quick motion brushed away the gloomy clouds and held up
her sunny face for a kiss.
"That is a lady," said Amy, approvingly.
"I will be very careful, and I won't break it," said Flora, gratefully; "and
Dinah must not touch it."
"Well! If you haven't got an April face I wouldn't say so," declared
Charley, at the risk of banishing the smiles.
But Flora did not care. She was thinking of the pretty white slate. She
had never held it in her hands but once, and then Amy stood by to
watch and to caution her. Now she was to have it all to herself.

"I am off," said Charley. "Will somebody kiss me before I go?"
"Dinah will."
Flora held up the black baby, but Charley