CHAPTER XIX
LITTLE SUSY'S SIX TEACHERS.
CHAPTER XIX.
Susy was lame several weeks.
She had to lie on the sofa almost sll that time.
So she lost much of the pleasure she had expected from the visit of her cousins.
Frank was very kind to her, and would sit and read to her a whole hour at a time; and Charlie played about near the sofa and an.used her a good deal. Miss
Joy did not now run away and hide; she sat on the sofa with Susy, and kept her laughing and singing even when she was in pain.
Aunt Patience and Mrs. Loves were there too.
Every afternoon when Susy's papa came home he would tell her such « funny story, or build such remarkable castles on the floor.
When Aunt Maria went home and told grandmamma how lame Susy was, and how pleasant and patient, you may be sure it was not two days before there came a basketful of good
LITTLE SUSY'S SIX TEACHERS.
things, such as nobody in the world but a grandmamma could make.
There were little apple pies baked on dolls' plates, babies that were good to eat because they were doughnuts, round cakes and square cakes, and long, narrow cakes!
Oh! it was a basket indeed !
So on the whole this was a very happy time, and then when Susy got well she always had something to date by. That is, she could say, "That happened before I sprained my ankle!" or "Don't you remember, it was about the time I had the sprained ankle ?"
But I must hurry on to the end of the story, or you will be tired of Mrs. Love, Miss Joy,
Susy, and all of them.
The lame ankle was not the only wonderful thing that happened to Susy in her fifth year.
For just before the end of it, that is, just before she became six years old, she heard that something quite as wonderful was going to happen.
For Susy's teachers were to have a meeting to report what they had done for her since she became their little scholar, and hear from
LITTLE SUSY'S SIX TEACHERS.
her papa whether he wished them to stay six years longer.
There was a deal of talk about this meeting among the teachers.
Miss Joy seemed a little uneasy.
She said she did not believe they would keep her.
"T never knew how I came to be called a teacher," said she.
"I am only a little young thing, and I am sure there is some mistake about it.
Susy's papa looks pretty grave; I don't believe he likes me.
I shall be turned away, I dare say.
However, I'll keep up my spirits till I am fairly out of the house.
It will be time enough to cry then!"
So little Miss Joy was more lively than ever, and made everybody laugh.
Mrs. Love said she did not think they could get her out of the house if they tried; and she felt pretty sure they wouldn't try, as she had been there so long.
Aunt Patience said she did not want to go at all.
But she would not complain, whatever happened.
Mr. Pain would not say a word, but kept all his thought to himself Susy said if any one
LITTLE SUSY'S SIX TEACHERS.
was turned away, perhaps he would be that one.
But she hoped he wouldn't take that as a hint, and run away till her papa and mamma desired.
Mr. Ought said it would be a sin to send him away, or treat him coldly, but he did not believe Susy would want him to go now they were such good friends.
The angel Faith did not say much.
He had made up his mind to stay, at all events.