rkled with delight. Her fingers
almost flew, and the quilt gained in size very fast.

But fifteen minutes more had not passed, when Emily and Charlie bounced
into the room.

"We want you to play with us," said Emily. "We are tired of playing
together without company, and want you."

"I want you to play horses. I've got some twine for a pair of reins, and
you two girls will make a capital span. Come, hurry up, Jessie!" said
Charlie, who had got over his ducking in the brook, and was as rude and
ready for mischief as ever.

"I'm very sorry," replied Jessie, "but I can't go with you. I must sew on
my quilt till tea-time."

"_Must_, eh! Who says you _must_?" replied Emily with a sneer.

"I have made a resolution to punish myself for going out this morning when
I ought to have stayed in," said Jessie, firmly.

"Pooh," said Charlie, "that's all nonsense. She is too proud to play with
us. She is a regular Miss Stuckup, and I won't own her for my cousin any
more;" and with this hard speech the boy left the parlor, walking
backwards, and making mouths as he went.

"I do think you ought to play with us, Jessie," said Emily. "You know we
have only one day more to spend with you, and it's very unkind of you to
stay in here and leave me to amuse myself as best I can. As to your
resolution, I s'pose you made it on purpose, because you didn't want to
play with us."

This unkind speech made Jessie feel very badly. She doubted for a moment
whether she had not erred in making her resolution before her cousins went
home. She felt inclined to drop her work, and go out with her very
ungracious cousins. But her second thoughts assured her that it was her
first _duty_ to conquer the habit which had caused her so much trouble. So
looking with moistening eyes at her cousin, she replied--

"I'm sorry, Emily, that I cannot go out with you, but I really can't do
it. You know my ma requires me to spend my mornings in sewing or reading.
I went out this morning without thinking, and without asking her consent.
To make up for that, I must sew this afternoon. This evening and to-morrow
afternoon, I will play with you as much as you please."

"I say you are a very ugly creature, and I don't like you one bit,"
retorted Emily, as with pouting lips and flashing eyes she bounced from
the room, slamming the door with a loud noise as she went out.

Poor Jessie felt wounded, and the big tears would flow from her eyes in
spite of her efforts to re