Mrs. J. Nonsense! for a young girl to talk like that; keep right on—and how is our little Flora getting along?
Flora. I am just driving Adam and Eve out of Paradise!
Mrs. J. You are doing well; don't let anything disturb you. And what is my Katie doing?
Katie. I am at the sentence: Il faudrait que je finesse mon travail—it is necessary that I finish my work.
Mrs. J. Good! Continue!
Nellie (sighing). Oh, my!
Mrs. J. Well, well; what are you sighing about?
Nellie. There is no end to this dress of mine.
Mrs. J. Yes, it takes time and trouble to make a dress; but what a great saving it is when we can make it ourselves. Your parents will be delighted to see you wearing a dress of your own make.
Nellie. If we could only wear a blanket round our shoulders like the Indians!
Mrs. J. (laughing). No one can accuse you of vanity.
Edith. Nor I either, mamma; my fingers are all stained from peeling apples; you gave me a bushel basket full.
Mrs. J. Is that intended as a hint? Come, hurry up; work is the spice of life, and after it rest seems twice as good. You know this evening
All the girls (excitedly). Oh, yes; your birthday party!
Mrs. J. Certainly; and we will enjoy it
Flora (interrupting). With ice cream and cake?
Mrs. J. Of course, little sweet-tooth! But first we must drive Adam and Eve out of Paradise, and then
Flora. When Cain kills Abel, the fun will begin.
Mamie (with a letter). There, Ma'am, by special delivery.
Mrs. J. (opens the letter, and reads the contents hurriedly, to the girls). I have received a letter from Mrs. Woods, of Newark. She wants me to meet her at the ferry and go shopping with her—I cannot very well refuse, she must return this evening—too bad, this whole afternoon
Edith. You can go, mamma; as far as we are concerned, we have plenty to keep us busy.
Mrs. J. But to leave you a whole afternoon without supervision
