bite of something?' asked papa, quite taken aback at this stern
decree.

'I said not a morsel, and I shall keep my word. Go to your morning
duties and let this be a lesson to you.'

Papa cast a look at Aunt Betsey, that was both comic and pathetic, and
departed without a word; but he felt a sudden sympathy with his son, who
had often been sent fasting from the table for some small offence.

Now it was that he appreciated aunty's kind heart, and felt quite fond
of her, for in a few minutes she came to him, as he raked the gravel
walk (Harry's duty every day), and slipping a nice, warm, well-buttered
muffin into his hand, said, in her motherly way,--

'My dear, do try and please your father. He is right about late rising,
but I can't bear to see you starve.'

'Betsey, you are an angel!' and turning his back to the house, papa
bolted the muffin with grateful rapidity, inquiring with a laugh, 'Do
you think those rogues will keep it up in this vigorous style all day?'

'I trust so; it isn't a bit overdone. Hope you like it!' and Aunt Betsey
walked away, looking as if _she_ enjoyed it extremely.

'Now put on your hat and draw baby up and down the avenue for half an
hour. Don't go on the grass, or you will wet your feet; and don't play
with baby, I want her to go to sleep; and don't talk to papa, or he will
neglect his work,' said Kitty, as they rose from table.

Now, it was a warm morning and baby was heavy and the avenue was dull,
and mamma much preferred to stay in the house and sew the trimming on to
a new and pretty dress.

'Must I really? Kitty you are a hard-hearted mamma to make me do it,'
and Mrs. Fairbairn hoped her play-parent would relent.

But she did not, and only answered with a meaning look.

'_I_ have to do it every day, and _you_ don't let me off.'

Mamma said no more, but put on her hat and trundled away with fretful
baby, thinking to find her fellow-sufferer and have a laugh over the
joke. She was disappointed, however, for Harry called papa away to weed
the lettuce-bed, and then shut him up in the study to get his lessons,
while he mounted the pony and trotted away to town to buy a new
fishing-rod and otherwise enjoy himself.

When mamma came in, hot and tired, she was met by Kitty with a bottle in
one hand and a spoon in the other.

'Here is your iron mixture, dear. Now take it like a good girl.'

'I won't!' and mamma looked quite stubborn.

'Then aunty will hold your hands and I shall