back, a little ashamed at being
laughed at; "how did _I_ know it wasn't loaded? Do you think 'twould
look well for a little girl _not_ to be afraid of a gun?"

This speech amused everybody, particularly Horace, who was glad to have
Grace say a foolish thing once in a while. It raised his self-esteem
somehow; and, more than that, he liked to remember her little slips of
the tongue, and tease her about them.

It was not long before he had seen all there was to be seen in the
house, and wanted to "_do_ something." As for reading, that was usually
too stupid for Horace. Grace kindly offered to play checkers with him;
but she understood the game so much better than he did, that she won at
every trial.

This was more than he could bear with patience; and, whenever he saw
that she was gaining upon him, he wanted to "turn it into a
_give-game_."

"But that isn't fair, Horace."

"Well, ma, just you see how mean Grace is! There, she wants me to jump
that man yonder, so she'll take two of mine, and go right in the
king-row!"

"But, Horace," said Grace, gently, "what do I play for if I don't try to
beat?"

"There now," cried he, "chase my men up to the king-row, so I can't
crown 'em, do!"

"Just what I'm doing," replied Grace, coolly.

"Well, I should think you'd better take 'em all, and be done with it!
Before I'd be so mean as to set _traps_!"

"Look, Horace," said Grace; "you didn't jump when you ought to, and I'm
going to _huff_ your man. See, I blow it, just this way; old Mr. Knight
calls it _huffing_."

"Huff away then! but you stole one of those kings. I'll bet you stole it
off the board after I jumped it."

"Now, Horace Clifford," cried Grace, with tears in her eyes, "I never
did such a thing as to steal a king; and if you say so I won't play!"

"Horace," said Mrs. Clifford, who had been trying for some time to
speak, "what do you play checkers for?"

"Ma'am? Why, to beat, of course."

"Well, do you consider it work, or play?"

"Work, or play? Why, it's a game, ma; so it's play."

"But Grace was so obliging that she wished to amuse you, my son. _Does_
it amuse you? Doesn't it make you cross? Do you know that you have
spoken a great many sharp words to your kind sister?

"Shut the board right up, my child; and remember from this time never to
play checkers, or any other game, when you feel yourself growing
fretful! As you sometimes say, 'It doesn't pay.'"

Horace closed the board, looking ashamed.