Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.
Little Dot Series.
A
TALE OF THREE WEEKS
BY
EGLANTON THORNE,
AUTHOR OF
"Kate and her Sister Daisy," "Caleb Gaye's Success," etc.
THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY
56, PATERNOSTER ROW; 65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD;
AND 164, PICCADILLY.
CONTENTS.
CHAP.
VI. LESSONS NOT LEARNED FROM BOOKS
A TALE OF THREE WEEKS.
CHAPTER I.
Left Behind.
"WHAT do you think?" exclaimed Katie Bartlett, as she came slowly intothe schoolroom, where her two younger sisters were engaged in preparingthe tables for school; "what do you think is going to happen?"
"Is it something nice?" asked Gertie, bright-looking child of eight.She spoke in a doubtful tone, for Kate did not look like the bearer ofcheering news.
"Nice! I should think not, indeed," returned Katie, dolefully; "papaand mamma have made up their minds to go away; they are going to theseaside."
"Oh, you don't mean it!" cried Gertie and Florrie together, as theyclapped their hands; "why, that is splendid news, Katie! How could yousay it was not?"
"Well! you are sillies!" exclaimed Kate, in a tone of sisterlycontempt; "do you suppose that we are going too? I never said so."
The faces of her sisters fell considerably.
"But are we not going?" they asked.
"No, indeed! Nurse and baby and little Winnie are to go with papa andmamma; but we three and Harry are to be left at home with Miss Jameson."
"Oh, how horrid! what a shame!" cried the children, and tears came intoFlorrie's blue eyes as she added: "We have not been to the seaside atall this year."
"Papa says that we must not expect to go every year," said Kate,speaking in an injured tone. "He says we had holidays enough beforeMiss Jameson came to us, and now we must work hard to make up for losttime."
"And are we to have school every day whilst they are away?" askedGertie, looking troubled.
"Certainly; I don't believe Miss Jameson will let us off a singlehour," said Kate, gloomily.
"How dreadful!" exclaimed Florrie, who delighted in strong language.
At this moment, their governess entered the room. She was apleasant-looking young lady, with dark hair and dark eyes, and aresolute but cheerful expression.
"Come, children, what are you chattering about, and the table not yetready?" she said, briskly; "what is the meaning of this?"
"Oh, Miss Jameson! have you heard?" asked Florrie. "Papa and mamma aregoing away, and we are to be left at home! Is it not a shame?"
"Hush, hush!" exclaimed Miss Jameson, "you know I never allow littlegirls to speak in that