Plain Jane | Page 2

learn;?And that she really felt unable?To have such naughty girls at table.?So when the others supped that day?(Their stew smelt sav'ry by the way),?Ann had to stand upon a seat,?And did not get a thing to eat;?While Jane kept slyly peeping round,?And swallowed with a sucking sound.?And there poor Ann was forced to stay?When supper was all cleared away.?Jane's good Papa began to read?A very solid book indeed;?Jane took her work, and sat near by,?And pricked Ann's ankles on the sly.
[Illustration: "_Pricked Ann's ankles on the sly_"]
[Illustration: "_Laughed at her look of pained surprise_"]
And there in fact Ann had to wait?Until the clock was striking eight,?When Jane's Mama believed it time?To say that ladies never climb,?But that to fall into a pet,?And fight, is more disgraceful yet!?Her little loving, gentle Jane?Should not be treated so again.?She added more. At last she said?Ann might come down, and go to bed.?Jane gently whispered, "Dear, you would?Be happier if you were good."?Ann mutter'd "Pig!"--but no one heard?Her use that most improper word.?It chanced that nearly every day?The cousins quarrelled at their play.?Good little Janie always ran?And told Mama of naughty Ann;?--Of how she tied Jane's flaxen hair?To the back portion of her chair,?And when her cousin tried to rise,?Laughed at her look of pained surprise.?How she had torn Jane's Sunday skirt,?And squirted at her with a squirt!?--And how another evening, she?Slipped salt into Jane's dish of tea;?And many another naughty feat?Did Ann perform and Jane repeat.?When Ann called Jane a "Tell-tale-tit,"?She went and told Mama of it.?She sighed, "I wondered how she _could!_?I long to help her to be good."?Jane's kind Mama, I need not say,?Behaved in the most prudent way;?Correcting Ann in various ways?And giving Jane much well-earned praise.
[Illustration: "_Slipped salt into Jane's dish of tea_"]
[Illustration: "_Off she started at a run_"]
Now in that village, every year?The people held a cattle fair;?And stalls and tents and swings were seen?Set up upon the village green.?Now when the fair came round that spring?Ann longed to go like anything.?"Oh, Aunt," she cried, "do let us go!"?And pouted when her Aunt said "No."?Next morning when out walking, Ann?Concocted such a naughty plan!?She had some money of her own,?And she would see the fair alone!?(I hope no other little miss?Has ever made a scheme like this.)?When she believed that no one saw,?She slipped out at the big front door,?And off she started at a run,?To see the shows and all the fun.?Now little Jane sat prim and neat?Upon the parlour window seat;?And so she saw her cousin go,?And guessed she meant to see the show.?"Mama!" she murmured, with a sigh,?"My cousin Ann has just run by;?I sadly fear--but no! oh, no!?It could not be to see the show."?Mama at once sent Betsy out?To see what Ann could be about:?And Betsy found her at the fair?Watching a big performing bear;?And Betsy brought her to her Aunt,?Altho' she fought and cried "I shan't!?I shan't go back! I won't go in!"?--And kicked poor Betsy on the shin.
[Illustration: "_Watching a big performing bear_"]
[Illustration: "_Jane fetched the rod_"]
Her Aunt, on hearing all, looked grave,?And said, "Is this how you behave??You disobeyed me, and you fought!?--Go, Jane, and fetch the rod I bought."?Jane joyfully laid down her book,?And ran off with a merry look;?While Ann stood looking pale and queer,?And wishing that "Papa were here."?"Miss, to your room!" Mama said; so?Away poor Ann was forced to go.?Jane fetched the rod, and said, "Oh, why?Will my poor cousin be so sly??I cannot bear," the child confessed,?"To see my dear Mama distressed."?Mama then took the rod, and went,?Leaving her daughter well content:?Jane's gentle smile grew quite sublime,?For her Mama was gone some time.
[Illustration: "_Jane's gentle smile grew quite sublime_"]
[Illustration: "_Hot and tired_"]
When twenty minutes had expired?She came in looking hot and tired;?And very shortly after, she?Went out to drink a dish of tea?With several friends she long had known,?Leaving her little girl alone.?Jane found it rather dull to read;?She soon felt very dull indeed.?How interesting Ann's tales had been?About that circus she had seen.?Jane wished Mama had let them go?And see this cattle fair and show.?She almost thought it would be fun?To go alone, as Ann had done.?"'Twill be her fault, if I _do_ go;?_She_ made me want to see the show.?Mama will not suspect the plan?Because I told her about Ann,"?She said, as she decided on it,?And went to fetch her beaver bonnet.?Betsy the maid was busy, so?Nobody saw Miss Janie go.?Prim and particular and neat?She minced along the village street,?And safely reached the village green?Unnoticed, and in fact unseen.?Once there, Miss Jane, I grieve to say,?Behaved in quite a naughty way!?--She even rode a wooden horse,?Though with propriety, of course;?She bought some sweetmeats at a stall?And then sat down and ate them all;?She saw the clowns and acrobats,?And the performing dogs and cats.?She