Chapter 2

"I didn't dare to tell you; I was afraid you would scold at me, as you did for spoiling the peony."

Kate felt a little better now that she had confessed her fault, and she was able to look her parents in the face.

"Why, Kate, if you had only told me, I should not have scolded you. You may have been careless, but it was all the fault of Fanny Flynn."

"No, mother; I was careless. I forgot all about the milk, I was so angry."

"And so the poor children had no supper, after all," added Mr. Lamb.

"O father! It was what you said about them that made me feel so bad. I am sure I shall never be so very wicked again. Let me carry them some milk now."

"What are you talking about? It is after ten o'clock, my child."

"No matter, father; I am not afraid to go in the dark, if I can only carry them their supper."

"No, no, Kate. I will carry them the milk, though it is rather late, and probably they are all asleep by this time."

"But will you forgive me, father and mother?"

"Freely, my child; you have suffered severely already for your fault, and I hope it will be a lesson to you which will last as long as you live," said her father.

"It will," said Kate, earnestly.

Both her parents kissed her, in token of their forgiveness; and Mr. Lamb put on his coat, while Mrs. Lamb went to the cellar for a pail of milk, with which he soon left the house on his errand of kindness and charity.

Kate felt a great deal better then, and before her father returned, she was fast asleep. Mr. Lamb found the poor woman still up. The children had had bread and water, but no milk, for their supper, and she was very glad to have some for them when they waked up in the night. And she was very grateful to Mr. Lamb for thinking of her at that hour, and thanked God for giving her such kind and thoughtful friends.

From that time, Kate was a better girl, and tried hard to reform her life and character. She tried so hard, and succeeded so well, that she very soon lost the name of "Careless Kate."

Mr. Lamb went to see Fanny Flynn's parents the next day, and they promised to punish her for her conduct. After that Kate did not provoke her, and they never had any more trouble.

Now my readers have seen that Kate's fault led her into falsehood and deception, which are worse than carelessness; and I hope they will all learn to be careful and truthful.

NOTHING TO DO.

"My kitty is purring Upon the hearth rug Rolled up in a bundle Just like a great bug. I wonder what kitty Is thinking about; What makes her so happy I cannot find out.

"She has no hard lessons To bother her brain, No spelling and reading To study in vain; She ought to be happy With nothing to do But play all the morning-- And I should be, too."

Thus Nellie kept thinking, And spoke out her thought. The words which she uttered Her mother's ear caught. "You wish to be idle Like kitty, dear, there, And play all the morning, Or sleep in your chair?"

"I don't like my lessons; I think 'tis a pity I can't be as happy As dear little kitty. That ugly old spelling I never can learn! O, into a kitty I wish I could turn!"

"I am not a fairy," Her mother replied; "To me all the power Of magic's denied; But you may be idle From morning till night, And see if 'do nothing' Will set your case right."

"O, shall I do nothing But play all day long, And sing with my kitty A holiday song? How happy, and merry, And joyous 'twill be To have no hard lessons-- From study be free!"

"Do what will best please you; Be idle all day; Recite no more lessons; Do nothing but play." Then Nellie, rejoicing, Flew out of the room; Played _hide_, _horse_, and _dolly_. And rode on the broom.

But long before dinner Poor Nell had "played out," And studied, and studied, And wandered about, To find some new pleasure, Some game, or some play, To use up the hours, And end that long day;--

And long before evening Was cross as a bear-- Just like the McFlimsey With "nothing to wear." And tired of nothing, And tired of play, No day was so tedious As that idle day.

"O mother! my lessons I think I will get, And then I can play As I never played yet. I do not feel happy With nothing to do; I cannot endure it Another day through."

"I thought so, my Nellie; To make your play sweet You must work, and be useful To those whom you meet. The idle are never So happy as they Who work for themselves Or for others each day."

* * * * *

RIVERDALE STORIES.

BY OLIVER OPTIC.

Twelve volumes. Profusely Illustrated by BILLINGS.

1. LITTLE MERCHANT. 2. YOUNG VOYAGERS. 3. CHRISTMAS GIFT. 4. DOLLY AND I. 5. UNCLE BEN. 6. BIRTHDAY PARTY. 7. PROUD AND LAZY. 8. CARELESS KATE. 9. ROBINSON CRUSOE, JR. 10. THE PICNIC PARTY. 11. THE GOLD THIMBLE. 12. THE DO-SOMETHINGS.

LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON.

THE RIVERDALE BOOKS.