DR.

PRUDY.
The next day Dotty had a severe cold, and her mother, fearing the croup, did not allow her to go out of doors.

This was hard for the child.

She felt very restless, because she had to give up "housekeeping" with Prudy, a very fascinating game, which could only be played on the river-bank.

She looked out of the kitchen window, and saw some carpenters shingling the barn.
"O, hum!" she murmured, "I wish grandpa wouldn't mend his barn!" A white mist was creeping slowly over the river and the distant hills.
"There, now," she sighed, "I wish the earth wouldn't _breave_ so hard!" Then she went into the parlor, like a little gray cloud.
"O, dear; I don't like this house, 'cause it's got a top to it! Wish I was somewhere else!" "Poor child," said Colonel Allen, who was seated on the sofa, looking out of the bay-window upon the garden; "do you love home better than this beautiful spot ?" "No," replied the little one, shaking her head.