And _sometimes_, for a great treat, she used to open the wall cupboards and let me handle some of the things--for it is a curious fact that a child _cannot_ admire anything to its perfect satisfaction without touching it too, and looking back upon things now, I can see that despite her cold manner, my grandmother had a very good knowledge of children and a real love and sympathy for them.
"One day--it was a late autumn day I remember, for it was just a few days after my ninth birthday--my birthday is on the fifteenth of November,--my mother told me that my father, having to drive to the town the following day, would take me with him to spend the day with grandmother.
"'And Nelly,' said my mother, 'do try to be very good and behave prettily.

I really fear, my dear, that you will never be like a young lady--it is playing so much with your brothers, I suppose, and you know grandmother is very particular.

The last time you were there you know you dressed up the cat and frightened poor old Betsy (my grandmother's cook) so.

Do try to keep out of mischief this time.' "'I can't,' I said.

'There is no one to play with there.