Eunice swooped down upon her like a hawk, and grabbed her skirt, as the child dodged, shrieking. She caught her, struggling, and, with a deft sweep of her arm, a trick learned in playing foot-ball with the boys, she brought Mamie into approved spanking position, and then and there gave her a punishment which she always richly deserved, but which it was her mother’s place, not Eunice’s, to give her.
Mamie shrieked at the top of her lungs, “Eunice is killin’ me! Eunice is killin’ me!”
“Do hold her mouth, Cricket,” said Eunice, spanking on. “Horrid little thing! I’ll give her something to cry for, for once.”
Cricket came nearer, with her eggs still in her hand. Mamie’s wildly kicking feet gave her a vigorous thump in the stomach, that unexpectedly doubled her up like a jack-knife, crushing her eggs which she still held in her hand.
“Children!” suddenly came a well-known voice behind them. “What does this disgraceful scene mean?”
There stood Doctor Ward and Archie. Eunice’s hand dropped instantly, and she released her kicking victim. Mamie righted herself, and flew at her, screaming. Cricket rose slowly out of the dust, pushing back her hair, with egg-stained hands, that left a yellow plaster on her curly pate. Her blue cambric was smeared from neck to hem with rivers of egg. Eunice’s hat was off, her hair streaming wildly over her shoulders, her cheeks scarlet, and her eyes flashing. Mamie had torn her dress badly, and both girls were a spectacle.
Doctor Ward caught Mamie by the shoulder, with a strong hand.
“Be quiet, child,” he said, sternly. “Girls, what does all this mean? Have you been to Mr. Barnes?”
“No, papa,” faltered Cricket, suddenly conscience-smitten. In her excitement, she had entirely forgotten that they had been sent on an important errand.
“Not yet? And I sent you two hours ago. Where is the note?”