CHAPTER XIV.
MASTER SIMON SNEED MAKES A MISTAKE.
Contrary to the expectations of Katy and her mother, Ann Grippen returned at noon with her tray empty, having sold the whole two dozen sticks.
"Well, Ann, how do you like the business ?" asked Katy.
"First rate.

Here is twenty-four cents," replied Ann; and it was evident, from her good-natured laugh, that she was much encouraged by her success.
"You may give me sixteen; the other eight belong to you." "I think I can do something at it," added Ann, as she regarded with much satisfaction the first money she had ever earned in her life.
"You can, if you work it right; but you must be very gentle and patient; you must keep yourself clean and----" "Well, I guess I know all about that," interrupted Ann, who did not like this style of remark.
"Katy," said her mother, who was sitting in her rocking-chair, by the fire.
"What, mother ?" "Come here a moment." Katy crossed the room to her mother, to hear what she wished to say.
"You must not talk to her in that style," said Mrs.Redburn, in a tone so low that Ann could not hear her.
"Why not, mother?
I was only telling her how to do." "But you speak in that tone of superiority which no one likes to hear.
You are but a child, as she is, and she will not listen to such advice from you." Katy wondered what her mother would have thought if she had heard what she said to Ann the day before.

Yet she was conscious that she had "put on airs," and talked like a very old and a very wise person.
"I suppose you would like to go out again this afternoon," resumed Katy, joining her assistant again.
"I don't care if I do." "Well, come this afternoon, and you shall have some more candy;" and Ann ran home to get her dinner.
"I think my plan will work well, mother," said Katy, when she had gone.
"It has so far, but you must not be too sure." "I mean to go out after dinner and hunt up some more girls, for you see I shall have no candy to sell myself this afternoon, when I have given Ann two dozen sticks." "I hope you will not attempt to lecture them as you did her." "Why, mother, I know all about the business and they don't know anything." "I doubt not you are competent to advise them; but the manner in which you address them is more offensive than the matter.

Your knowledge of the business makes you treat them as inferiors.

You must not think too much of yourself, Katy." "No danger of that, mother." "I am afraid there is.