CHAPTER IV.

VISIT TO GRANDMA.

ONE fine morning, about a month after this, Mr. Kent drove to the door with a carriage and span of horses. Mamma, Aunt Mary, Berty, and Ida were all ready for him; so they jumped in at once. The horses pranced and danced a little before they started off; but soon they grew sober and trotted along at the rate of eight miles an hour.

I suppose you will want to know whether Ida had persevered in being good all this time. I am glad to be able to tell you that she had really improved. To be sure she had forgotten herself a good many times, and began to say, "I will," or "I won't," "You shall," or "You sha'n't," to her mamma and Aunt Mary; but they all knew that she was trying very hard to correct her great fault, and to be a good little girl.

They were going now to visit Grandmother Kent, who was an excellent old lady, and who lived in the same house with one of her married daughters, Mrs. Amanda Mason.

This lady had three children, two daughters, and a son who was near Ida's age. None of the family had seen little Joseph since he was a baby; but Aunt Mary knew, from her mother's letters, that he had a temper worse, if possible, than Ida's had ever been.

It was a long ride from Mr. Kent's home to his mother's; and though they started at seven o'clock in the morning, they did not reach the end of their journey till night.

Grandma was expecting them, and sat, arrayed in her new cap, by the window which overlooked the road.

Minnie and Susan ran out to meet their cousins, but Josey was bashful and kept close to his mother's side.

"Go and kiss Ida," said Mrs. Mason, trying to push him forward. "Kiss her. She's a pretty little girl, and I want you to be good friends."

"I won't either! She isn't a bit pretty, and I don't like her," said Josey, his mouth drawn down into an ugly pout.

Mrs. Kent could scarcely help smiling when she saw with what a gaze of horror Ida regarded her cousin; while Aunt Mary whispered to her brother—

"She'll be ashamed to show any of her tantrums here when she sees how they make Joseph look."

Supper was all ready for the weary travellers. As soon as they could take off their outer garments and wash the dust from their faces, they drew around the table.

Josey usually sat in a high chair; but now his mother had put a large book into a common chair to raise him. When he saw Ida sitting in his, he caught hold of the back and jerked it so rudely that he almost threw her to the floor.

"Get out, you ugly girl!" he screamed, striking her in the face.

Mr. Mason caught the child and shook him till he could not stand. Then calling the servant, in a loud, angry tone, he said—

"Take Joseph upstairs and lock him in his room."

All this time Ida was anxiously watched by her parents. They both expected that she would resent the affront and begin to scream with passion. But to their surprise, she seemed more grieved than angry. Her lip quivered, and she clung to her mamma, trying to hide her eyes in the lady's dress.

"I don't love Josey," the little girl exclaimed, as Mrs. Kent was putting her to bed an hour later.

"Why don't you love him, dear?"

"Cause he acts so awfully."

"Did you ever see a little girl who gave way to her temper as he does?"

Ida hid her face and began to cry, not angry tears. "I won't do so any more," she said, softly.

"No, my darling. I am so glad you are trying to improve. You saw nurse carry off Joseph. He couldn't have the pleasure of eating supper with us."

"Didn't he have any supper, mamma?"

"Yes, I saw his father carry him a bowl of bread and milk. He was pounding against the door when his father opened it. I don't suppose Joseph imagines how ugly he looks when he is in a passion; and I'm afraid he don't think how such conduct displeases God."

Ida sighed, and hid her face on her mother's shoulder.

"Will God punish him, mamma?"

"Yes, God certainly will unless he repents, and tries to conquer his passion, as you are trying to do."

"I'm going to pray to help him be a good boy."

"That's right, my darling. We will pray now."