Lills Travels in Santa Claus Land | Page 7

mother never called her Mary Gray except when she was troublesome.
"I want to tell you sumpin, mamma," whispered she, bending forward and almost scalding herself against the teapot, "I won't talk; I won't talk a tall."
But it was of no use. Mrs. Willard was not fond of little girls, and Mrs. Gray would not take Flaxie; she must stay at home with her sister Ninny.
Now Ninny--or Julia--was almost ten years old, a dear, good, patient little girl, who bore with Flaxie's naughtiness, and hardly ever complained. But this afternoon, at four o'clock, her best friend, Eva Snow, was coming, and Ninny did hope that by that time her mamma would be at home again!
Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Willard rode off in the carriage; and the moment they were gone, Flaxie began to frisk like a wild creature.
First she ran out to the gate, and screamed to a man going by,--
"How d'ye do, Mr. Man? You mustn't smoke! My mamma don't like it!"
"Oh, why did you do that?" said Ninny, her face covered with blushes, as she darted after Flaxie, and brought her into the house.
"Well, then, show me your new picture-book, and I won't."
As long as she was looking at pictures she was out of mischief, and Ninny turned the leaves very patiently.
But soon the cat came into the room with the new kitten in her mouth, and then Flaxie screamed with terror. She thought the cat was eating it up for a mouse; but instead of that she dropped it gently on the sofa, purring, and looking at the two little girls as if to say,--
"Isn't it a nice baby?"
Flaxie thought it was; you could see that by the way she kissed it. But when she picked it up and marched about with it, the old cat mewed fearfully.
"Put it down," said Ninny. "Don't you see how bad you make its mother feel?"
"No. I's goin' to carry it over the bridge, and show it to my grandma; she wants to see this kitty."
Ninny looked troubled. She hardly dared say Flaxie must not go, for fear that would make her want to go all the more.
"What a funny spot kitty has on its face," said she, "white all over; with a yellow star on its forehead."
"Well," said Flaxie, "I'll wash it off." And away she flew to the kitchen sink.
"What are you up to now?" said Dora, the housemaid, who stood there with her bonnet on. "You'll drown that poor little creetur, and squeeze it to death too! Miss Ninny, why don't you attend to your little sister?"
Dear Ninny! as if she were not doing her best! And here it was half-past three, and Eva Snow coming at four!
"O Dodo!" said she, "you're not going off?"
"Only just round the corner, Miss Ninny. I'll be right back."
But it was a pity she should go out at all. Mrs. Gray did not suppose she would leave the house while she was gone.
As soon as "Dodo" was out of sight, Flaxie thought she could have her own way.
"O Ninny! you're my darlin' sister," said she, with a very sweet smile. "Will you lem me carry my kitty over to grandma's?"
"Why, no indeed! You mustn't go 'way over the bridge."
"Yes I mus'. 'Twon't hurt me a tall!"
"But I can't let you, Flaxie Frizzle; truly I can't; so don't ask me again."
Flaxie's lip curled as well as her nose.
"Poh! I haven't got so good a sister as I fought I had. Laugh to me, Ninny, and get me my pretty new hat, or I'll shut you up in the closet!"
Ninny did laugh, it was so funny to hear that speck of a child talk of punishing a big girl like her!
"Will you lem me go?" repeated Flaxie.
"No, indeed! What an idea!"
"I've got fi-ive cents, Ninny. I'll buy you anyfing what you want? Now lem me! 'Twon't hurt me a tall!"
Ninny shook her head, and kept shaking it; and Flaxie began to push her toward the closet door.
"Will you get my hat, Ninny? 'Cause when I die 'n' go to hebben, then you won't have no little sister."
"No, I will not get your hat, miss, so there!"
All this while Flaxie was pushing, and Ninny was shaking her head. The closet-door stood open, and, before Ninny thought much about it, she was inside.
"There you is!" laughed the baby.
Then rising on her "tippy-toes," Flaxie began to fumble with the key. Ninny smiled to hear her breathe so hard, but never thought the wee, wee fingers could do any harm.
At last the key, after clicking for a good while, turned round in the lock; yes, fairly turned. The door was fastened.
"Let me out! out! out!" cried Ninny, pounding with both hands.
Flaxie was perfectly delighted. She had not known till then that the door was locked, and if Ninny had