CHAPTER II.

IDA'S SNARLED HAIR.

IDA KENT was a very handsome child. Her face was round and fair, her eyes deep-blue, her mouth small and rosy, and her hair rippled and curled all over her head. This was a great affliction to Ida; for, as it hung in ringlets over her neck, it took a long time in the morning to comb out the snarls.

Mrs. Kent, too, used to dread the job; and was always happy when it was completed without arousing Ida's temper. Many a time she had threatened to cut off the curls; but her husband would not consent. He felt very proud of them, and could not be made to believe that the child would be better without them.

Mamma used to get a bowl of water, a towel to pin around Ida's neck, the comb and brush all ready before she called the little girl; and then she tried to amuse her by telling some funny stories.

A few mornings after Mrs. Kent's sickness, Ida sat in her mother's lap, and all was going on beautifully, when an unlucky snarl caught in the comb, giving it quite a pull.

As quick as thought, the child turned and struck her mother in the face.

"If you do that again, I'll whip you, naughty mamma!" she cried, her face growing very red and angry.

"Stop, Ida! You mustn't talk so; it's wicked," said Mrs. Kent, holding the child's hands. "You know mamma didn't mean to pull; but I shall have to punish you with a rod, if you strike me, or talk so; it is very wicked."

"I won't have my hair done any more!" screamed the naughty girl, kicking with all her might.

"Ida!" called out her father from the next room. "Stop that! Do you know, child, whom you are talking to?"

Berty came in at this minute, and Mrs. Kent took advantage of this opportunity while her attention was engaged to finish the curls.

In a few moments she had forgotten all about her trouble. She came up to kiss papa, her mouth looking as sweet as a ripe cherry, and then went dancing about the room as happy as happy could be.

When her brother had led her to the parlor, Mrs. Kent said with a sigh, "That is the way she acts more than half the time while I am curling her hair. I have tried whipping, and coaxing, and everything I can think of. Her passion grows worse every day."

"I have always hoped she would outgrow it," answered Mr. Kent; "but I see something must be done."

"If you'll tell me what, I'll thank you," murmured the mother in a discouraged tone.

The next week a lady called to see Aunt Mary. Ida was playing quietly with some blocks in the corner of the room, when the visitor caught a glimpse of her.

"Oh, what a darling little girl!" she exclaimed. "Come and see me, my dear."

Ida obeyed, walked slowly across the floor, and glanced shyly in the lady's face from under her curls.

"You little beauty!" repeated the stranger, taking the child in her lap.

"Don't touch the lady's bonnet," said Aunt Mary, seeing that her friend began to look annoyed at having her flowers pulled out of place.

"I will! I will!" And Ida gave a rose-bud a sudden jerk which left it in her hand.

The lady put her upon the floor; and Aunt Mary was so mortified that she caught her up and carried her screaming from the room.

"I am sorry, for your sake, I spoke to the child," apologized the visitor; "but she looked so smiling I never thought of her having such a temper."

"I never saw such a passionate girl," murmured Aunt Mary, looking as if she were going to cry, "I always feel as if an avalanche were hanging over my head. Sometimes she's as sweet and loving as a June rose; and, in a moment, her temper is beyond control."

"Is she well governed?"

"It is difficult to know what to do with one of her disposition. Both my brother and his wife are very solicitous concerning her. I wonder often at my sister's patience. She has tried whipping and shutting her in a room by herself; but nothing seems to have any lasting effect. I really think half the cause of Mrs. Kent's nervous headaches may be from anxiety about Ida. Yesterday she tried a new plan—she led the child into her bedroom, and, without taking the least notice of her screams and struggles, began to pray for herself and her little girl."

"And what effect did this have?"

"Very quieting. My brother feared it was only the novelty, but sister was encouraged to try it again."