Malta, the pet kitten, was amusing herself by running after the spools, and when at last Willie, becoming tired, laid them on the stand, she sprang toward them, upsetting the pitcher, which was broken in a dozen pieces.

On hearing the crash Mrs.Hamilton hastened toward the room, where the sight of her favorite pitcher in fragments greatly enraged her.

Thinking, of course, that Willie had done it, she rudely seized him by the arm, administered a cuff or so, and then dragged him toward the china closet.
As soon as Willie could regain his breath he screamed, "Oh ma, don't shut me up; I'll be good; I didn't do it, certain true; kittie knocked it off." "None of your lies," said Mrs.Hamilton.

"It's likely kittie knocked it off!" Lenora, who had seen the whole, and knew that what Willie said was true, was about coming to the rescue, when looking up, she saw Margaret, with dilated nostrils and eyes flashing fire watching the proceedings of her stepmother.
"He's safe," thought Lenora; "I'll let Mag fire the first gun, and then I'll bring up the rear." Margaret had never known Willie to tell a lie, and had no reason for thinking he had done so in this instance.

Besides, the blows her mother gave him exasperated her, and she stepped forward just as Mrs.
Hamilton was about pushing him into the closet.