What Katy Did At School | Page 2

cease. It does my eyes good to see you, Katherine. I wish your
poor aunt were here to-day; that I do. How pleased she'd be?"
It is doubtful whether Aunt Izzie would have been so pleased, for the
lived-in look of the best parlor would have horrified her extremely; but
Katy did not recollect that just then. She was touched at the genuine
kindness of Mrs. Worrett's voice, and took very willingly her offered
kiss. Clover brought lemonade and grapes, and they all devoted
themselves to making the poor lady comfortable. Just before she went
away she said,
"How is it that I can't never get any of you to come out to the Conic
Section? I'm sure I've asked you often enough. There's Elsie, now, and
John, they're just the age to enjoy being in the country. Why won't you
send 'em out for a week? Johnnie can feed chickens, and chase 'em, too,
if she likes," she added, as Johnnie dashed just then into view, pursuing
one of Phil's bantams round the house. "Tell her so, won't you,

Katherine? There is lots of chickens on the farm. She can chase 'em
from morning to night, if she's a mind to."
Katy thanked her, but she didn't think the children would care to go.
She gave Johnnie the message, and then the whole matter passed out of
her mind. The family were in low spirits that morning because of
Cousin Helen's having just gone away; and Elsie was lying on the sofa
fanning herself with a great palm-leaf fan.
"Oh, dear!" she sighed. "Do you suppose it's every going to be cool
again? It does seem as if I couldn't bear it any longer."
"Aren't you well, darling?" inquired Katy, anxiously.
"Oh, yes! well enough," replied Elsie. "It's only this horrid heat, and
never going away to where it's cooler. I keep thinking about the country,
and wishing I were there feeling the wind blow. I wonder if papa
wouldn't let John and me go to Conic Section, and see Mrs. Worrett.
Do you think he would, if you asked him?"
"But," said Katy, amazed, "Conic Section isn't exactly country, you
know. It is just out of the city,--only six miles from here. And Mrs.
Worrett's house is close to the road, papa said. Do you think you'd like
it, dear? It can't be very much cooler than this."
"Oh, yes! it can," rejoined Elsie, in a tone which was a little fretful. "It's
always cooler on a farm. There's more room for the wind, and-- oh,
every thing's pleasanter! You can't think how tired I am of this hot
house. Last night I hardly slept at all; and, when I did, I dreamed that I
was a loaf of brown bread, and Debby was putting me into the oven to
bake. It was a horrid dream. I was so glad to wake up. Won't you ask
papa if we may go, Katy?"
"Why, of course I will, if you wish it so much. Only"--Katy stopped
and did not finish her sentence. A vision of fat Mrs. Worrett had risen
before her, and she could not help doubting if Elsie would find the farm
as pleasant as she expected. But sometimes the truest kindness is in
giving people their own unwise way, and Elsie's eyes looked so wistful

that Katy had no heart to argue or refuse.
Dr. Carr looked doubtful when the plan was proposed to him.
"It's too hot," he said. "I don't believe the girls will like it."
"Oh, yes! we will, papa; indeed we will," pleaded Elsie and John, who
had lingered near the door to learn the fate of their request.
Dr. Carr smiled at the imploring faces, but he looked a little quizzical.
"Very well," he said, "you may go. Mr. Worrett is coming into town
to-morrow, on some bank business. I'll send word by him; and in the
afternoon, when it is cooler, Alexander can drive you out."
"Goody! Goody!" cried John, jumping up and down, while Elsie put
her arms round papa's neck and gave him a hug.
"And Thursday I'll send for you," he continued.
"But, papa," expostulated Elsie, "That's only two days. Mrs. Worrett
said a week."
"Yes, she said a week," chimed in John; "and she's got ever so many
chickens, and I'm to feed 'em, and chase 'em as much as I like. Only it's
too hot to run much," she added reflectively.
"You won't really send for us on Thursday, will you, papa?" urged
Elsie, anxiously. "I'd like to stay ever and ever so long; but Mrs.
Worrett said a week."
"I shall send on Thursday," repeated Dr. Carr, in a decided tone. Then,
seeing that Elsie's lip was trembling, and her eyes were full of tears, he