Jennie ran home in great haste as soon as she was free from her limping companion; and Dotty entered the side-door dripping like a naiad.
"Why, Alice Parlin!" said grandmamma, in dismay; "how came you in such a plight?
We never thought of you being out in this shower.

We supposed, of course, you would go to Mrs.Gray's, and wait till it was over." "We were nowhere near Mr.Gray's," faltered Dotty, "nor anywhere else, either." "I should think you had been standing under a water-spout," said Aunt Louise.
"Grandma, can't you put her through the wringer ?" asked Prudy, laughing.
Dotty sank in a wet heap on the floor, and held up her ailing foot with a groan.
"Why, child, barefoot ?" cried Aunt Louise.

Dotty said nothing, but frowned with pain.
"It is a cruel thorn," said her good grandmother, putting on her spectacles and surveying the wound.
"Yes, 'm," said Dotty, finding her tongue.

"I almost thought 'twould go clear through, and come out at the top of my foot." Katie took a peep.

"No, it didn't," said she; "it hided." "There, there, poor little dear," said grandmother; "we'll put her right to bed.