It was less than ten minutes when he came back in just the plight which you see in the picture. One shoe off, one elastic gone, his bright red-stocking torn and hanging, himself covered from head to foot with mud. How could a boy have done so much mischief to himself in so short a time! If only Rollo had had a reputation for being careful, she would have surely stopped to hear his story; but, alas for him! A more heedless boy never lived than this same Rollo. Still, this was worse than usual; so much worse that the mother decided on the instant that he must have a severe lesson.
A SORRY PLIGHT.
"Rollo," she said in her coldest tone, "you may go at once to Hannah and have her put your every-day suit on, then you may go to my room and stay until I return."
"But, mamma," said Rollo, his face in a quiver, his lips trembling so that he could hardly speak.
But she passed him on the stairs without a word.
He called after her:
"Mamma, oh, mamma! Won't you please to listen to me?"
Then she said.
"Rollo, you may obey me immediately, and I do not wish to hear a word."