So Horace was forgiven for Prudy's sake.
CHAPTER IX
THE HATCHET STORY
One night the children clustered about their aunt Madge, begging for a story.
"Fairy, you know," said Susy.
"A fairy story?" repeated aunt Madge. "I don't know about that. I told a little boy a fairy story once, and he went right off and whispered to his mother that I was a very wicked lady, for that story wasn't true, not a bit; and if a baby six months old should hear it, he wouldn't believe a word of it!"
"Poh! he was a smart boy," cried Horace.
"So I am afraid to tell fairy stories since that, for I don't like to be called a wicked lady, you know."