Perhaps Josephine was not so much to blame as her parents for this bad habit. I am sure she did not understand, and did not know, why her companions soon took a dislike to her.
Josephine and Edward were very much pleased with the home of Mr. Lee, and for several days they were as happy as the days were long. They were not used to the country, and it seemed to them just as though they should never be tired of running in the fields, and of visiting the woods and the river.
One day, after they had been playing very hard in the orchard, the children all went into the house to rest themselves. Josephine threw herself upon the sofa in the sitting room, and said she was tired almost to death.
Of course she did not mean so, and only intended to say that she was very tired, though I think it likely that, if an excursion to the woods or the river had been proposed, she would not have been too tired to join the party.
“Won’t you please to bring me a glass of water, Flora?” said Josephine, after she had rested a little while.
“To be sure I will,” replied Flora, rising, and getting the glass of water for her friend.
“Thank you,” added Josephine, as she took the glass, and drank its contents.
Flora, when she had given her the water, happened to think of something in the entry which she wanted, and went for it.
“Won’t you please to take this tumbler, Frank?” said Josephine.
Frank did not make any reply, but rose from his seat, took the glass, and put it upon the table.