and they had nearly all slipped out of her head.

She said, often, she wished she could "only, only read;" and Susy
offered to teach her, but Mrs. Parlin said it would never do till Prudy
felt stronger.

I will tell you now why I think Susy did not understand her mother when
she said Annie was not a suitable playmate. In the evening, after Ruthie
and Flossy were gone, Susy said to her mother,--

"I feel real cross with Ruthie, mamma: I think she puts herself forward.
She goes into a room, and no matter how old the people are that are
talking, she speaks up, and says, 'O, yes, I know all about it.' I never
saw such an old-fashioned little girl."

"Very well," said Mrs. Parlin; "if _she_ is rude, take care that the
same fault does not appear in yourself, Susy."

"But, mother," said Susy, suddenly veering about and speaking in Ruth's
favor, "I don't know but it's proper to do as Ruthy does. If you know
something, and other people don't, ain't it right to speak up and say
it?"

"It is never right for little girls to _monopolize_ conversation, Susy;
that is, to take the lead in it, and so prevent older people from
talking. Neither is it proper to pretend to know more than we do, and
talk of things beyond our knowledge."

"I knew you would say so, mother. I just asked to hear what you would
say. I know Ruthie is ill-mannered: do you think I ought to play with
her any more?"

Mrs. Parlin looked at Susy in surprise.

"Why, you know, mother, you wouldn't let me play with Annie Lovejoy. You
said, 'evil communications corrupted good manners.'"

"But can't you see any difference in the cases, Susy? What a muddy
little head you must wear on your shoulders!"

"Not much of any," said Susy, trying to think; "they're both _bold_;
that's what you don't like."

"Anything else, Susy?"

"O, yes, mother; Ruthie's good, and Annie isn't. It was queer for me to
forget that!"

"I should think it was, Susy, since it is the only thing of much
importance, after all. Now, it seems to me you are very ready to cast
off your friends when their manners offend you. How would you like it to
be treated in the same way? Suppose Mrs. Turner and Ruthie should be
talking together this very minute. Ruthie says, 'That Susy Parlin keeps
her drawers in a perfect tumble; she isn't orderly a bit. Susy Parlin
never knit a stitch for the soldiers in her life. Mother, mayn't I stop
playing with Susy Parlin?'"

Susy laughed, and looked a little asha