CHAPTER IV.
THE NESTLINGS.
An hour or two after this, Mrs.Parlin, Susy, Prudy, and Zip went to visit Mrs.Eastman, who now lived a little way out of town.
Dotty was driving ducks, and did not see her mother and sisters when they started.
"Where is they, Nono?
And where's Prudy ?" "Gone walking.

Your mamma told you they were going," replied Norah, setting a basin of water and a brush and comb on the stand.
"Well, Prudy's runned away," cried Dotty, "Naughty girl; made out o' dirt!" "Come here, Miss Dimple, and let me brush your hair." "Well, here's my hair, Nono, but you mustn't pull it; 'tisn't _your_ hair! O, I want to kiss my mamma, I do!" "Your mamma will be back again this evening." "Don't want to kiss her in the evening--want to kiss her now!" "What makes you in such a hurry to kiss your mother ?" "O, I just only want to tell her to whip Prudy.

Naughty Prudy runned away! Made out o' dirt!" Dotty always looked very low-spirited while her long hair was being curled over a stick, and now was more unhappy than usual, for it was one of her "temper days." But at last cousin Percy Eastman happened to call in, and declared he must take his pretty cousin home with him in the carriage.
"I'll get her ready," said Norah; "but you're sure to be sorry if you take her, for she's brimming over with mischief to-day." Dotty danced like a piece of thistledown.

"There, Nono," said she, "I's goin' to auntie's my own self; Prudy'll have to give up." All this time Mrs.Parlin and the two older children were having a fine walk.

It was a bright June day.