“Good pussy, pretty pussy,” said grandma, stroking the cat, who almost purred her heart out for joy. Not a mouse did she ever catch but she brought it to grandma or mamma to show it; but she never brought one to Mrs. Prim. I wonder why not.
“Now let her out, Mary,” said grandma to Flaxie. “And go ask Dora if it isn’t almost time to make the gravy for dinner.”
When Flaxie skipped away, grandma said to Mrs. Prim, “The poor child is lonesome, with nothing to do.”
“She ought to do something,” replied Mrs. Prim, making a knot in her silk. “If she were my little girl, I should send her to school, to occupy her mind.”
“Should you?” said Grandma Gray, hesitating, and patting her white curls. “Her mother said there were some naughty children about here, and she might be led into mischief at school, while Julia is away.”
“I’m sure she is led into mischief at home,” said Mrs. Prim.
“Very true. Perhaps she would be quite as safe at school. I will talk to her father about it,” said Grandma Gray.
And of course Dr. Papa said, “Just as you please;” and Flaxie was sent to school with her satchel and books.
She came home the first day very dirty, after the dinner was cold, and Auntie Prim wondered if such a child ought to have any pudding.
“Oh, auntie,” said Flaxie, shaking her flying hair, “I saw a little girl down under the hill, and says I, ‘What’s your name?’ and says she, ‘Patty C. Proudfit.’ And I thought you’d want me to go down and play with her, and I did.”