Grandma Padgett took it in her hands, reduced its length and tried
its limberness.
"If I had given my family such trouble when I's your age," she said
to Corinne and Robert, "I should have been sprouted as I deserved."
They listened respectfully.
"Folks didn't allow their children to run wild then. They whipped
them and kept them in bounds. I remember once father whipped brother
Thomas for telling a falsehood, and made welts on his body."
Corinne and Robert had heard this tale before, but their
countenances, put on a piteous expression.
"You ought to have a sprouting," concluded their guardian as if she
did not know how to compromise with her conscience, "but since you
meant to do a good turn instead of a bad one"--
"Oh, we never intended to run away, Grandma, and worry you so,"
insisted Robert.
"We's just sorry for the little girl," murmured aunt Corinne.--"Why,
I'll let it pass this time. Only never let me know you to do such a
thing again." The paw paw sprout fell to the ground, unwarped by use.
Corinne and Robert were hearty in promising never to run away with
Fairy Carrie or any other party again.
This serious business completed, the grandmother turned her
attention to the child in the cart.
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