Little Prudys Sister Susy | Page 2

ask auntie: she'll know, for she's been
through the Rithmetic."
Prudy spoke these words with awe. She thought "going through the
Rithmetic" was next thing to going round the world.
"O Auntie, I'm so glad you came," said Susy, "for I didn't see how I
was ever going to finish my Christmas presents: I go to school, you
know, and it takes me all the rest of the time to slide!"
The children were busy making wonderful things "all secret;" or they
would have been secret if Prudy hadn't told.
For one thing, she wondered very much what Susy could be doing with
four pins stuck in a spool. She watched the nimble fingers as they
passed the worsted thread over the pin-heads, making stitches as fast as

Susy could wink.
"It looks like a tiny snake all sticked through the hole in the spool," said
Prudy, eager with curiosity. "If you ain't a-goin' to speak, I don't know
what I shall do, Susy Parlin!"
When poor Susy could not pretend any longer not to hear, she answered
Prudy, half vexed, half laughing, "O, dear, I s'pose you'll tease and
tease till you find out. Won't you never say a word to anybody, never?"
"Never in my world," replied the little one, with a solemn shake of her
head.
"Well, it's a lamp-mat for auntie. It's going to be blue, and red, and all
colors; and when it's done, mother'll sew it into a round, and put fringe
on: won't it be splendid? But remember, you promised not to tell!"
Now, the very next time Prudy sat in her auntie's lap she whispered in
her ear,--
"You don't know what we're making for you, all secret, out of worsted,
and I shan't tell!"
"Mittens?" said aunt Madge, kissing Prudy's lips, which were pressed
together over her sweet little secret like a pair of sugar-tongs clinching
a lump of sugar.
"Mittens? No, indeed! Better'n that! There'll be fringe all over it; it's in
a round; it's to put something on,--to put the lamp on!"
"Not a lamp-mat, of course?"
"Why, yes it is! O, there, now you've been and guessed all in a minute!
Susy's gone an' told! I didn't s'pose she'd tell. I wouldn't for nothin' in
my world!"
Was it strange that Susy felt vexed when she found that her nice little
surprise was all spoiled?

"Try to be patient," said Mrs. Parlin, gently. "Remember how young
and thoughtless your sister is. She never means any harm."
"O, but, mamma," replied Susy, "she keeps me being patient all the
whole time, and it's hard work."
So Susy, in her vexation, said to Prudy, rather sternly, "You little
naughty thing, to go and tell when you promised not to! You're almost
as bad as Dotty. What makes you act so?"
"Why, Susy," said the child, looking up through her tears, "have I acted?
I didn't know I'd acted! If you loved me, you wouldn't look that way to
me. You wrinkle up your face just like Nanny when she says she'll
shake the naughty out of me, Miss Prudy."
Then what could Susy do but forgive the sweet sister, who kissed her
so coaxingly, and looked as innocent as a poor little kitty that has been
stealing cream without knowing it is a sin?
It was plain that it would not do to trust Prudy with secrets. Her brain
could not hold them, any more than a sieve can hold water. So Mrs.
Parlin took pity upon Susy, and allowed her and her cousin Florence
Eastman to lock themselves into her chamber at certain hours, and
work at their presents without interruption.
While the little girls sat together busily employed with book-marks and
pin-cushions, the time flew very swiftly, and they were as happy as
bees in a honeysuckle.
Mrs. Parlin said she believed nothing less than Christmas presents
would ever make Susy willing to use a needle and thread; for she
disliked sewing, and declared she wished the man who made the
needles had to swallow them all.
The family were to celebrate Christmas evening; for Mr. Parlin was
away, and might not reach home in season for Christmas eve.
For a wonder they were not to have a Tree, but a Santa Claus, "just for

a change."
"Not a truly Santa Claus, that comes puffin' down the chimney,"
explained Prudy, who knew very well it would be only cousin Percy
under a mask and white wig.
CHAPTER II.
BEFORE DAYLIGHT.
On Christmas morning, at three o'clock, there was a great bustle and
pattering of little feet, and buzzing of little voices trying to speak in
whispers. Susy and Prudy were awake and astir.
"Where do you s'pose the stockings are?" buzzed Prudy, in a very loud
whisper.
"Right by the bed-post,