"No, my sweet," replied Dora; "I cannot this morning. You know that daddy is going to finish my picture this morning, so I must stay with him; he will want me."
"You are always with daddy," said Eva, pouting. "You never come for a walk with me."
"How can you say such things? You know I go out very often with you—but I can't to-day. To-morrow, yes! to-morrow. Come, be a good little girl."
"A good little girl," said Eva, sighing, "that's what you always say to me."
"When I was a little girl," said Dora, trying to look serious, "I, too, had to be good, you know."
"Oh, mama! aren't you glad you're not a little girl any longer?" said Eva.
"Oh, what shall we do with her, Hobbs, if she is so naughty?" said Dora, taking the child up in her arms and covering her with kisses.
And yet, she knew that the reproaches were well-merited.
"Is it true that mama was a little girl first?"
"Of course, dear, certainly."