TIT FOR TAT.
Philip and Rosa work very hard at their lessons. They are the two oldest of a family of seven: Philip goes to college in the day-time, and Rosa has a daily governess, so that in the evening they both have lessons to prepare for the next day; and they like to work quietly together in a little room they call their school-room.
One evening Philip had been having a game with one of his little brothers. Tommy—that was the little brother’s name—had had a present made to him of a bat and ball, and Philip showed him how to play. Now Master Tommy was so pleased with the game, that when evening came on, and it was time for him to go in, and when Philip, too, wanted to go to his lessons, he would not leave off. At last Philip adopted the plan, when Tommy’s back was turned for a moment, of making the bat and ball disappear. Then Tommy began to cry; and his big brother assured him that “Bogy” had taken the bat and ball; adding,—“But if you are a good boy he’ll bring them back to-morrow.” So saying, off he went to his work in the school-room.
Just when Philip and Rosa had settled to their work, with books and slates scattered upon the table, a little figure, with knapsack on his back, and cap much too large for him covering his head, crept quietly into the room. They thought it best to take no notice of Master Tommy, as then perhaps he might go away of himself; but presently, when they were most occupied with their lessons, he suddenly slipped some of the books from the table into his knapsack, and taking others and a slate under his arm, ran out of the room. At the door he turned and cried out, “Bogy’s got ’em; if you good, perhaps he’ll bring ’em ’gain to-morrow.”
Philip and Rosa pursued, and picked up the books, which Tommy dropped as he ran downstairs. They both took the joke very good-naturedly. Philip declared it was only tit for tat; and Rosa supplied Tommy with a lot of old finery, for him to take into the nursery, that he and the other children might amuse themselves by dressing up.
After all, Tommy had capital fun that evening. The children dressed up, and fancied themselves all sorts of wonderful people: kings, and queens, and fairies; judges and generals, and I know not what.
