"You told me, Lily," said Tom, "when I wanted to ask mamma to give the order, that you would be sure to attend to it, and that you would go right away and tell Nora. Now you must wait till I go up and have it done. You put it off, I suppose, and so forgot it."
Yes, that was just it; more procrastination, and so forgetfulness.
Tom did not speak angrily, but his voice was grave, and Lily saw that he was vexed.
"I'm so sorry," she said to herself, as she opened the front door, and stood waiting for her brother upon the stoop. "I did mean to remember and tell Nora right away, and I only just stopped to listen to mamma's musical box for a moment, and so I went and forgot. It is too mean I do forget so quick."
What was the reason Lily forgot so quickly and so often?
Because she allowed other things to take her time and her attention from the duty she should first attend to.
"Please, dear little lady, to help a poor woman."
Lily started, and looked around. She had not seen the woman coming, and she now was half way up the steps, almost at her elbow.
"Please, little lady," the woman began again; "I've a little girl at home no bigger nor yourself, and five more of 'em, and not a mouthful to eat have they had these twenty-four hours. A little money to buy bread for 'em, and bless your beautiful face."