"Dear, dear! To think of her calling you a hideous cat! Doesn't that show how angry she is? People should not get angry--should they, Pussy? She will box our ears next. I really think we had better go, my darling tabby." So off went Hatty with the cat in her arms, but as she was going down the stairs, she said, I am sure for me to hear,-- "We will come some other time, won't we, Pussy? when the dragon is out of her den: and we will have a quiet rummage, you and I; and we'll find her love-letters!" Now is not that too bad? What is one to do? Job could not have kept his temper if he had lived with Hatty. I wish she would get married--I do! Fanny never interferes with any one--she just goes her way and lets you go yours. And when Sophy interferes, it is only because something is left untidy, or you have not done something you promised to do. She does not tease for teasing's sake, like Hatty. And then, when I came down, after having composed my face, and passed Hatty on my way into the parlour, what should she say but,-- "Didn't you wish I was in Heaven just now?" "I should not have cared where you were, if you had kept out of the garret!" said I. Hatty gave one of her odious giggles, and away she went. Now, how can I live at peace with Hatty, will anybody tell me? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am so delighted! My Aunt Kezia has come into my plan for having the Bracewells here at Christmas, along with the Drummonds. "It might be as well," said she, "if we could do some good to that poor frivolous thing Amelia; but don't you get too much taken up with her, Caroline, my dear. She is a silly maid at best." "Oh, Amelia is Fanny's friend, not mine, Aunt Kezia," said I. "And Charlotte is Sophy's." "And is Flora to be yours?" said Aunt Kezia. "I have not made one yet," I answered. "I do not know what Flora is like." "As well to wait and see, trow," says my Aunt Kezia. Sam was bringing in breakfast while this was said; and as soon as he had set down the cold beef he turned to my Aunt Kezia and said,-- "Then she's just a braw lassie, Miss Flora, nae mair and nae less; and she'll bring ye a' mickle gude, and nae harm." "Why, how do you know, Sam?" asked my Aunt Kezia. "Hoots! my mither's sister's daughter was her nurse," said he. "Helen Raeburn they ca' her, and her man's ane o' the Macdonalds. Trust me, but I ha'e heard monie a tale o' thae Drummonds,--their faither and mither and their gudesire and minnie an' a'." "What is Angus like, Sam?" said I. "Atweel, he's a bonnie laddie; but no just--" Sam stopped short and pulled a face. "Not just what?" says my Aunt Kezia. "Ye'll be best to find oot for yersel, Mrs Kezia, I'm thinkin'." And off trudged Sam after jelly, and we got no more out of him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------