[CHAPTER IV.]
VISIT TO GRANDMA.
ONE fine morning, about a month after this, Mr. Kent drove to the door with a carriage and span of horses. Mamma, Aunt Mary, Berty, and Ida were all ready for him; so they jumped in at once. The horses pranced and danced a little before they started off; but soon they grew sober and trotted along at the rate of eight miles an hour.
I suppose you will want to know whether Ida had persevered in being good all this time. I am glad to be able to tell you that she had really improved. To be sure she had forgotten herself a good many times, and began to say, "I will," or "I won't," "You shall," or "You sha'n't," to her mamma and Aunt Mary; but they all knew that she was trying very hard to correct her great fault, and to be a good little girl.
They were going now to visit Grandmother Kent, who was an excellent old lady, and who lived in the same house with one of her married daughters, Mrs. Amanda Mason.
This lady had three children, two daughters, and a son who was near Ida's age. None of the family had seen little Joseph since he was a baby; but Aunt Mary knew, from her mother's letters, that he had a temper worse, if possible, than Ida's had ever been.
It was a long ride from Mr. Kent's home to his mother's; and though they started at seven o'clock in the morning, they did not reach the end of their journey till night.
Grandma was expecting them, and sat, arrayed in her new cap, by the window which overlooked the road.
Minnie and Susan ran out to meet their cousins, but Josey was bashful and kept close to his mother's side.
"Go and kiss Ida," said Mrs. Mason, trying to push him forward. "Kiss her. She's a pretty little girl, and I want you to be good friends."