ch speaks in everybody's
heart was saying,--

"Now, Dotty, be a good girl, a noble girl. Tell about drinking the milk
under the acorn tree."

"But I needn't," thought Dotty, clicking the door-latch! "it won't be a
fib if I just keep still."

"Yes, it will, Dotty Dimple!"

"What! When I squeeze my lips together and don't say a word?"

"'Twill be _acting_ a fib, and you know it, Alice Parlin! I'm ashamed of
you! Take your fingers out of your mouth, and speak like a woman."

"I will, if you'll stop till I clear my throat.--O, Grandma," cried
Dotty, "I can't tell fibs the way Jennie Vance does! 'Twas we two did
it, as true as you live!"

"Did what, child? Who?"

"The milk."

"I don't understand, dear."

Dotty twisted the corner of her apron, and looked out of the window.

"Drank it--Katie and me--under the acorn tree."

"Yes, she did," chimed in Katie; "and 'twasn't nuffin but moolly's cow
milk, and her 'pilled it on my shoe!"

Grandmamma really looked relieved.

"So this accounts for it! But Dotty, how could you do such a thing?"

"I telled um not to," cried Katie, "but her kep' a-doin' an' a-doin'."

"Ruthie gives too much measure," replied Dotty, untwisting her
apron--"'most two quarts; and when Katie and I ask for some in our
nipperkins, Ruthie says, 'No,' she must make butter. I was just as
thirsty, grandma, and I thought Mrs. Gray never would care; I did
certainly."

"Yes, gamma, we fought Mis Gay would care; did cerdily!"

"My dear Dotty," said Mrs. Parlin, "you had not the shadow of a right to
take what belonged to another. It was very wrong; but I really believe
you did not know how wrong it was."

Dotty began to breathe more freely.

"But you see, child," interposed Aunt Louise, "you have done a deal of
mischief; and I must go at once to Mrs. Gray's and explain matters."

Dotty was distressed at the thought of Mrs. Gray, whose nose she could
seem to see "going up in the air."

"Don't feel so sorry, little sister," said Prudy, as they walked off
with their arms about each other's waist; "you didn't do just right, but
I'm sure you've told the real white truth."

"So I have," said Dotty, holding up her head again; "and mother says
that's worth a great deal!"

CHAPTER IV.

DOTTY'S CAMEL.

Matters were soon set right with Mrs. Gray, who was sorry she had not
spoken frankly to Mrs. Parlin in the first place, instead of going
secretly to the neighbors and complaining that she di