CHAPTER II.
PLAYING KING AND QUEEN.
"What are you hunting for on your hands and knees, Alice ?" said grandmamma, next day.
"O, nothing, only pins, grandma; but I can't find any.

Isn't this a _hidden-mist_ carpet ?" "No, dear; a _hit-and-miss_ carpet is made of rags.

But what do you want of pins ?" "She has given away what Aunt Ria paid her for Christmas," said Prudy, speaking for her; "she gave it all to the beggar." "Yes, she did; one, two, free, four, nineteen, tenteen," said Katie; "and the gemplum didn't love little goorls." "Why, Alice! to that man who was here yesterday ?" Dotty was frowning at Prudy behind a chair.

"Yes, 'm," she answered, in a stifled voice.
"Were you sorry for him ?" "No, ma'am." "Did you hear me say I did not believe he was in need of charity ?" "Yes, 'm." Grandma looked puzzled, till she remembered that Alice had always been fond of praise; and then she began to understand her motives.
"Did you suppose Jennie Vance and your sisters would think you were generous ?" asked she, in a low voice.
Dotty looked at the carpet, but made no reply.
"Because, if that was your reason, Alice, it was doing 'your alms before men, to be seen of them.' God is not pleased when you do so.

I told you about that the other day." Still the little girl did not understand.