"I've heard, before now, of little folks having frogs in their throats," said she. "Is that what you mean?"
"I guess so," sobbed Prudy. "And it was alive—just as alive as could be! O, O!—Nancy, she told me to shut up my eyes, you know, and I didn't see the toad till it hopped right up in my mouth,—and then I didn't see it! O, O!"
"Nancy, come here," said Miss Parker, sternly. "What have you been doing to this little child?"
Nancy came out, with her fingers in her mouth, but did not speak.
"Answer me; did you drop a toad into Prudy's mouth?"
"Yes," replied Nancy, sulkily; "but she stuck a knitting-needle into my ear fust!"
"For shame, you wicked child," said Miss Parker. "Take up that toad, Nancy, and carry it out of doors; then come to me, for I must punish you."
"Now, Prudy," added Miss Parker, "what do you think I ought to do to Nancy for being so naughty?"
"I don't know," answered Prudy, crying still. "I don't s'pose my mother would be willing to have folks put toads in my mouth."
"But what do you think I ought to do to her?" said Miss Parker, smiling.