Page:Nattie Nesmith (1870).pdf/18

 "I never saw anybody who loved to make trouble as well as you do!" she exclaimed, pettishly. "I never tried to have a good time, in my life, but you wanted to spoil it in some way. Father likes to see me enjoy myself, but you don't; you want to be driving me around all the time, to wait upon you. I am determined that I won't bear it any longer. Send Bridget with the jelly, or go yourself, for all I care."

"Why, Nattie!" said the mother, gently, "you know that it is impossible for me to go. I can not walk across my room without help."

"It is impossible for me to go, too," responded Nattie, cracking the nuts, sharply, with her sound, white teeth.

"Don't crack those hard filberts thus," said the mother; "how many times have I told you that you would ruin your teeth? What is the reason that you can't do this errand for me?"

"Because I can't,—I sha'n't,—and I won't!"

Nattie crunched the very biggest filbert which