"Oh, Ralphie, Winnie can't to-night; see, she has to learn something out of all these books;" and she pointed to the big pile of them that lay on the table.
"Well, den, me'll wead the newspaper;" and he sat down on a hassock with a paper in his hand, and looked so cunning that Winnie had to go and give him a little hug before she could get to work.
She began with her greatest bugbear, United States History; not, however, without having cast one longing look at "The Giant Killer," as it stood temptingly on the edge of the book case. But, saying to herself, "I'm bound to do it"—a phrase which had seemed to help her over difficulties so many times that she almost felt as if it were the phrase, and not the exertions which always followed the use of it, that was helpful to her—she applied herself with such concentration that, during the twenty minutes her mother remained out of the room, she learned quite thoroughly the three pages describing the Battle of Monmouth. In the meantime, Ralph had been put to bed, and Mrs. Burton had come in, cloaked and bonneted. As soon as their father and mother had gone, Jack said, "Now, Win, for the new music."
"Oh, Jack, look here! There are two pages of descriptive geography, ten map questions, and a short account of the exports and imports of India to be learned, and I've six long problems in percentage to work."
"Whew! Then my cake's dough! But how is it that you have all this to do to-night? I thought we were to spend our evenings in helping and entertaining each other; that was what I understood mother to say when she changed your hour for bed from half past eight to half past nine. Ah! Win, I know what it is; you've been at your old tricks, you little bookworm!"
"Don't tease, Jack. I'm sorry enough for it now, and I'll be ready to help you to-morrow night."
"To-morrow! Always to-morrow! But to-morrow our debating club meets, and that settles that. I'll have to play without accompaniment, that's all."
Winnie heaved a sigh. It was a disappointment to her, too, but she resolutely forbore to say more about the matter. It took her, however, until nearly nine o'clock to learn her geography lesson, and when her bed-time came, she had but four of the problems solved. She would much have liked to remain up an hour longer, but of direct disobedience Mrs. Burton's children were seldom guilty, so Winnie gathered up her books, ready to take to school in the morning, and went to her room.
CHAPTER II.
GOOD RESOLUTIONS.
