ETHEL AND PATTY.
Ethel and Patty were neatly dressed, to take their morning walk; but, hearing their Aunt had called to say, she would let them go with her, in her coach, to see grandpapa, they ran down stairs in such a hurry, that they fell, and both tore their frocks.
What a sad disaster! Their Aunt kindly said, she would wait a little; but the poor girls were in sad distress. They went slowly and sorrowfully up stairs, to mend their tattered dresses. "To have no other frocks clean, this day of all the year," cried Ethel sullenly.—"But, sister, see how easily the rents can be mended," said Patty, setting herself to work.—"A pretty business, to be sure, after stitching all the morning; just when all the nasty work was done, to have more to do," said Ethel.—"Oh! so very little! Look, Ethel, it is a mere trifle," exclaimed Patty.—"Yours may be; but mine—" said Ethel. "Yours is less than mine; only measure, sister."
"I shall do no such thing."—"Then stitch away, as I am stitching," cried Patty, smiling, and working with all her might. Ethel slowly stretched out the rent. "It is nonsense to begin," said she; "this horrid hole could never be finished."—"Certainly not, if never begun, sister."—"Do not be pert, Patty. I do not believe even your skilful ladyship will be ready; for I hear some one coming up stairs. I dare say Aunt is sending for us."—"I shall stitch on to the very last moment," said Patty; "and though moments do make themselves wings, and fly away, just when we want them most to stay, mine shall carry some stitches with them, I am determined;" and she worked perseveringly.
The step passed the door. "A reprieve," cried Patty. Ethel began looking for needle, thread and thimble; then listened to hear if any one was coming to them—then looked out of the window, to see if her Aunt's carriage were still there—then thought it was too late to begin—and then began. Patty's busy, unstopping fingers had finished her task. "And now, Ethel, I am ready to help you."—"Two cannot work at once."—"Then let me work." Patty's kindness could not avail. Mamma came up, and sent down the one who was ready. Ethel blamed her fortune. Silly child! She had better have blamed herself!