HOW LITTLE EDITH WENT TO SLEEP.
"I'm sleepy; and I want my mamma to rock me to sleep; and I don't want grandma, or auntie, or papa, or any one else, to rock me, but just my own mamma." And the little queen planted her feet firmly, and looked at us with so much defiance, that we felt it was of no use for us to coax, rock, or sing.
Little Edith was tired, and sadly in need of her nap; but her mamma was sick in bed, and could not be disturbed. What was to be done?
Papa held up a bright silver-piece as a reward of merit to the little girl, if she would be good, and go to sleep. Grandma ventured a little coaxing. But it was all of no avail: the sleepy eyes opened wide, as if they meant to keep open in spite of us all.
But when auntie remarked that she was going to her room to sharpen her pencil, and draw some pictures of a cat, or a dog, or a rabbit, Edith's eyes brightened; and she said, "Let me go too?"
So Edith sat on her auntie's lap, and asked her to draw a rabbit,—a "yabbit," Edith called it,—and to begin at his ears.
"Yes, little pet. Here are his ears, and here is his body, and here is his tail, and here are his feet, and here are some spectacles for him to see through," said auntie, drawing each article as she named it. "And here are some pretty red beads around his neck, and some rings in his ears; and now we will tie a nice blue ribbon on his tail." Here Edith suggested shoes for his feet.
"Yes," said auntie. "And now he wants an apple to eat: so here is an apple for him (1). Now he wants some grass (2); now some nuts (3). Now he is crying for a piece of pie (4); no, he doesn't want that kind, he wants gooseberry-pie: well, rabbit, here it is (5). Here is some bread for him (6), and we will spread it with nice butter; and he wants a potato too (7), and a nice sweet orange (8), and a brush to smooth his fur (9)."
Little Edith's eyes were gradually closing; but, becoming aware of the fact, she started up as if she thought of going away.
"Stop, darling," said auntie. "We must give the rabbit a wash-bowl to wash in (10), and some nice cool water in it; and now he must have a comb (11), and a cup and saucer to drink his tea from (12), and a doll to play with (13). Now he says he wants a house to live in (14), with a tree growing by it, and a nice walk to the front-door, and a fence all around it; and there he is crying for a bed to sleep on. Oh, what a rabbit you are! you want so many things! Well, here is a nice bed for you (15). Now I hope you will go to sleep, and not ask for another thing; for little Edith's eyes are shut."
And, sure enough, Edith was fast asleep.
C. L. K.
