"'Do let her go!' said Roger. 'I want to rig my ship this afternoon; and a fellow can't do much with her around.'
"So it was decided that Clara should go; and it was the work of but a few moments to polish up the chubby face and hands, and brush the curly hair. The pink dress, red shoes, and white sun-bonnet, were put on as quickly as possible, and Clara was ready.
"'Now, do try to behave yourself, child,' said Susan, as Ben lifted the little girl into the wagon.
"'Of course I will,' replied Clara, pouting her red lips.
"'But did she behave herself?' you ask. Ah! I will tell you.
"When they reached the store, Mr. Dale, the storekeeper, came out to assist them; and, as he helped Clara out of the wagon, he called her 'a little lady,' which made her feel all of two inches taller than usual. Then he gave her a stick of candy, and lifted her to a seat on the counter, close beside a dear old pussy-cat, who purred loudly as the little girl smoothed her fur.
"Clara's mother had a good many things to buy, and very soon forgot all about her little daughter; but when Ben came in, half an hour later, his first question was, 'Where's Clara, mother?'
"Sure enough, where was Clara? Her seat was empty. She had disappeared. 'Clara, Clara!' called both her mother and Ben; but there was no answer.
"'She's in some mischief,' said Ben; and, as quick as thought, he rushed into the back part of the store, followed by his mother and Mr. Dale. What a sight met their eyes! There stood Clara, in the centre of the room, stepping back slowly, as a pool of molasses, streaming steadily from a hogshead in the corner, crept towards the toes of her little red shoes. Ben caught up Clara as quick as a flash, and——"
"No, grandma," interrupted mamma, "it was Mr. Dale who did that, while Ben made haste to turn the faucet to prevent further mischief."