To take a sleigh-ride with her papa? Wrong again.
Ah! you can never guess, and I will tell you.
It was this: "O mamma! do put on my things, and let me go out and get exscribers for 'The Nursery.'"
Mamma shook her head; though she could not help laughing at the little girl's mistake, for she meant subscribers. It is a hard word; but this little Mamie knew the meaning well.
"O mamma! please do; for you know I love it. And Jennie and Katie and Bessie will love it too, if they only know about it; and, besides, I can get a present, if I send some new names to 'The Nursery' man."
Little Mamie was so urgent in her request, that her mother asked papa what he thought about it.
Papa said, "Oh, let her try if she wants to: it will do no harm." How the black eyes danced! and the little feet could hardly keep still, while mamma dressed her up very warmly, till she was just about as large one way as the other.
"Now, mamma, for my muff; and, oh! I must have a 'Nursery' to show." So, with a "Nursery" sticking out of one end of the little muff, this Mamie started on her errand. All the way along to Bessie's house, she kept saying, subscribe, subscribe, so that she might not make another mistake in the word.
She was gone but an hour, and returned with the names of six children, who were to be made glad each month by the visits of Mamie's friend.
Mamie was full of glee, and could hardly eat any supper, so anxious was she for her papa to send the names to Boston.