Maurice caught up his shoe in a hurry, began to twitch and pull; looked as if he was going to cry, but with a sudden thought bent his whole energies to the work, and laughed aloud when it was accomplished.
"I'm glad you didn't help me, Hannah," he exclaimed, joyfully. "I can pull knots out now, just as easy."
"To be sure you can," she answered, giving him a kiss, and hurrying him away to be in time for his favorite muffins.
A few hours later he sat in his little study-chair, his spelling-book open before him, while he was gazing at the cat trying to catch her own tail.
"See, mamma!" he exclaimed, laughing. "Isn't puss silly to run round that way?"
"I have nothing to do with kitty now. She is not in my school," replied the lady, with a smile. "I suppose you can say your lesson very perfectly, as you have time to watch cats."
Maurice blushed and caught up his book.
"F-o-l-l-y, folly," he spelled, in a whisper, then stopped again.
"Mamma, what's the use of learning to spell so many words?"
"Some other time I will explain that," she answered, pleasantly.