da's life was lonely and cold; no one went to see her. She was
always unhappy.

[Illustration]

Katrinka's house always echoed with the laughter of children;
everyone went to see her. She was always joyful and cheery.

One night while Matilda sat at her dark window looking across at
Katrinka's house, she saw a crowd of people tip-toeing up to the stoop
with baskets under their arms and flowers in their hands and when all
had crowded upon the porch they stamped their feet and made a great
noise.

Matilda was very angry, but Katrinka ran laughing to the door and
greeted all with her kindliest smile. It was a surprise party for
Katrinka, for it was her birthday.

Matilda watched the party from her dark window and the longer she
watched, the more angry she grew, for the longer the party lasted, the
louder grew the happy laughter.

Finally when all the guests had gone, Matilda saw Katrinka gather up
half of the presents and put them in a basket.

Then Katrinka stole softly up to Matilda's stoop and stamped her feet.
Matilda sat scowling by the dark window a long time before she finally
went to the door, for she was very peevish.

"This is a fine time to come stamping upon a person's stoop!" she
scolded, as Katrinka walked into the living room.

"Oh, sister," Katrinka cried, as she tried to kiss Matilda. "This is our
birthday and I have brought you half of the presents which were given
me! See?" and she piled the presents high upon the table.

"I do not wish them!" said Matilda, frowning at her sister. But Katrinka
could see that Matilda _did_ wish them.

"The presents were not for me, Katrinka!" she said.

"Oh yes they are!" Katrinka replied. "They were given to me and I give
them to you! I have saved one half for myself! But you should have been
to the party!" said Katrinka, "We had such a happy time!"

"I do not enjoy being with people!" Matilda scolded, "I wish to be left
to myself!"

"Yes, but Matilda," her sister said, "you do not know the happiness in
being kind and friendly to others!"

[Illustration]

"Pooh!" sniffed Matilda.

"I just wish you could take my place and know the happiness that is in
my heart tonight," Katrinka smiled.

"I just wish you could take my place and know the unhappiness that is in
my heart tonight!" said Matilda, "You would see that a lot of children
screeching about the house with all their presents could not bring me
happiness!"

Katrinka thought a moment, "I have i