12 What Katy Did - Bedtime Tales Stephanie Poppins

You're listening to S.

D.

Hudson Magic What Katie Did by Susan Coolidge This story follows the adventures of a twelve year old American girl,

Katie Carr,

And her family who live in the fictional lakeside Ohio town of Burnett in the 1860s.

Chapter Twelve It was a pleasant morning in early June.

A warm wind was rustling through the trees,

Which were covered thickly with half-open leaves,

And looked like fountains of green spray thrown high into the air.

Doctor Carr's front door stood wide open.

Through the parlour window came the sound of piano practice,

And on the steps under the budding roses sat a small figure,

Busily sewing.

This was Clover.

Little Clover still,

Though more than two years had passed since we saw her last,

And she was now over fourteen.

Clover was never intended to be tall.

Her eyes were as blue and sweet as ever,

And her apple-blossom cheeks as pink,

But the brown pigtails were pinned up into a round knot,

And the childish face had gained almost a womanly look.

Old Mary declared Miss Clover was getting quite young ladyfied,

And Miss Clover was quite aware of the fact and mightily pleased with it.

It delighted her to turn up her hair,

And she was very particular about having her dresses made to come below the tops of her boots.

She had also left off ruffles,

And wore narrow collars instead,

And little cuffs with sleeve buttons to fasten them.

These sleeve buttons,

Which were a present from Cousin Helen,

Clover liked best of all her things.

Papa said he was sure she took them to bed with her,

But of course that was only a joke,

Though she certainly was never seen without them in the daytime.

She glanced frequently at these beloved buttons as she sat sewing,

And every now and then she laid down her work to twist them into a better position,

Or give them an affectionate pat with her forefinger.

Pretty soon the side gates swung open,

And Philly came round the corner of the house.

All his pretty baby curls were cut off,

And his frocks had given place to jacket and trousers.

In his hand he held something.

What it was,

Clover could not see.

What's that?

She said as he reached the steps.

I'm going upstairs to ask Katie if these are ripe,

Replied Phil,

Exhibiting some currants faintly streaked with red.

Why,

Of course they're not ripe,

Said Clover,

Putting one into her mouth.

Can't you tell by the taste they're as green as can be?

I don't care.

If Katie says they're ripe,

I'll eat them,

Answered Phil defiantly.

What did Philly want?

Asked Elsie,

Opening up the parlour door.

Only to know if the currants are ripe enough to eat.

In particular,

He's always asking about things now,

Said Elsie.

He's afraid of another dose of salts.

I should think he would be,

Replied Clover,

Laughing.

Johnny says she never was so scared in her life as when Papa called them,

And they looked up and saw him standing there with a bottle in one hand and a spoon in the other.

Yes,

Went on Elsie,

And you know Dorry held it in his mouth for ever so long.

Then went round the corner of the house and spat it out.

Papa said he had a good mind to make him take another spoonful,

But he remembered that after all Dorry had the bad taste a great deal longer than the others.

So he didn't.

I think it was an awful punishment,

Don't you?

Yes,

But it was a good one.

None of them's touched the green gooseberries since.

Have you got through practicing yet?

Oh,

It isn't only 25 minutes,

But Katie told me not to sit more than half an hour at a time without getting up and running round.

I'm going to walk twice down to the gate and twice back.

I promised her I would.

And Elsie set off,

Clapping her hands briskly before and behind her as she walked.

What is Bridget doing in Papa's room?

She asked as she came back the second time.

She's flapping things out of the window.

The girls up there,

I thought they were cleaning the dining room.

They're doing both.

Katie said it was such a good chance having Papa away,

She'd have both carpets taken up at once.

There isn't going to be any dinner today.

Just bread and butter and milk and cold ham up in Katie's room.

Debbie's helping too,

So as to get through and save Papa all the fuss.

And see,

Exhibiting her sewing.

Katie's making a new cover for Papa's pincushion and I'm hemming the ruffle to go round it.

How nicely you hem,

Said Elsie.

I wish I had something for Papa's room too.

There's my washstand,

Matts,

But the one for the soap dish isn't finished.

Do you suppose if Katie would excuse me from the rest of my practising I could get it done?

There's her bell,

Said Clover,

As a little tinkle sounded upstairs.

I'll ask her if you like.

Now let me go,

I'll see what she wants,

Said Elsie.

But Clover was already half way across the hall and the two girls ran up side by side.

There was often a little strife between them as to which should answer Katie's bell.

Both liked to wait on her so much.

Katie came to meet them as they entered.

Not on her feet,

Alas,

That was still only a far-off possibility,

But in a chair with large wheels.

This chair was a great comfort to her.

Sitting in it she could get to her closet and her bureau drawers and help herself to what she wanted without troubling anybody.

It was only lately she'd been able to use it.

Dr Carr considered her doing so as a hopeful sign,

But he'd never told Katie this.

She had grown accustomed to her invalid life and was cheerful in it,

And he thought it unwise to make her restless by exciting hopes,

Which might after all end in fresh disappointment.

She met the girls with a bright smile as they came in.

Oh Clovey,

She said,

It was you I rang for.

I'm troubled for fear Bridget will meddle with the things on Papa's table.

You know how he likes them to be left just so.

Will you please go and remind her she's not to touch them all.

After the carpet's put down I want you to toss the table so as to be sure everything's put back in the same place.

Will you?

Of course I will,

Said Clover,

Who was a born housewife and clearly loved to act as Katie's Prime Minister.

Shan't I fetch you the pincushion too while I'm there?

Oh yes,

Please do,

I want to measure.

Katie,

Said Elsie,

Those mats of mine are most done.

I'd like to finish them and put them on Papa's washstand before he comes back.

Might I stop practising now and bring my crochet up here instead?

Will there be plenty of time to learn the new exercise before Miss Philip comes if you do?

Said Katie.

I think so plenty,

She doesn't come till Friday,

You know.

Well then it seems to me you might just as well as not.

And Elsie dear,

Run into Papa's room first and bring me the drawer out of his table.

I want to put that in order myself.

Elsie went cheerfully.

She laid the drawer across Katie's lap and Katie began to dust and arrange the contents.

Pretty soon Clover joined them.

Here's the cushion,

She said,

Now we'll have a nice quiet time all by ourselves.

I like this sort of day when no one comes in to interrupt.

Just as she spoke,

Someone tapped at the door.

Come in,

Katie called and in marched a tall,

Broad-shouldered lad with a solemn,

Sensible face and a little clock carried carefully in both his hands.

This was Dory.

He'd grown up and improved very much since we saw him last and was turning out clever in several different ways.

Among the rest,

He'd developed a strong turn for mechanics.

Here's your clock,

Katie,

He said.

I got it fixed so it strikes all right.

Only you must be careful not to hit the striker when you start the pendulum.

Have you really?

Said Katie.

Why,

Dory,

You're a genius,

I'm ever so much obliged.

It's four minutes to eleven now,

Went on Dory,

So it'll strike pretty soon.

I guess I'd better stay and hear it so to be sure it's right.

He took the drawer back to Papa's room and came back just as it was beginning to strike.

There,

He exclaimed,

That's splendid,

Isn't it?

But alas,

The clock did not stop at eleven.

It went on twelve,

Thirteen,

Fourteen,

Fifteen,

Sixteen.

Dear me,

Said Clover,

What does all that mean?

It must be day after tomorrow at least.

Dory stared with open mouth at the clock,

Which was still striking as though it would split its sides.

You've bewitched it,

Dory,

Said Katie,

As much entertained as everyone else.

Then they all began counting.

Dory seized the clock,

Shook it,

Slapped it and turned it upside down.

But still the sharp vibrating sounds continued,

As if the clock,

Having got its own way for once,

Meant to go on until it was tired out.

At last,

At the one hundred and thirtieth stroke,

It suddenly ceased.

And Dory,

With a red,

Amazed countenance,

Faced the laughing company.

It's very queer,

He said.

I'm sure it's not because of anything I did.

I can fix it,

Though,

If you'll let me try again,

May I?

I promise not to hurt it.

Yes,

Take it,

Dory,

She said.

I'm sure you'll be careful.

But if I were you,

I'd carry it down to Wetherall's first of all and talk it over with Em.

Together you might hit on just the right thing,

Don't you think?

Perhaps,

Said Dory.

Yeah,

I think I will.

Then he departed with the clock under his arm.

How could you let him take your clock again,

Said Clover,

As soon as the door was shut?

You spoil it,

And you think so much of it.

I thought he'd feel mortified if I didn't let him try,

Replied Katie quietly.

I don't believe he'll hurt it.

Wetherall's man likes Dory,

And he'll show him what to do.

Then the door flung open again,

And Johnny rushed in.

Two years taller,

But otherwise looking exactly as she used to.

Oh,

Katie,

She gasped.

Won't you please tell Filly not to wash the chickens in the rainwater tub?

He's put in every one of speckles and is just beginning on Dame Burden's.

I'm afraid one little one is dead already.

Why,

He mustn't.

Of course he mustn't,

Said Katie.

What made him think of such a thing?

He says they're dirty because they've just come out of eggshells.

And he insists the yellow on them is egg yolk.

Clover,

Cried Katie,

Won't you run down and ask Filly to come up to me?

Speak pleasantly,

You know.

Very soon,

Filly came up,

Escorted by Clover.

He looked a little defiant,

But Katie understood how to manage him.

She lifted him into her lap,

Which,

Big boy as he was,

He liked extremely,

And talked to him so affectionately about the poor little shivering chicks that his heart was quite melted.

I didn't mean to hurt them really and truly,

He said,

But they're all dirty and yellow with egg,

You know,

And I thought you'd like me to clean them up.

But that wasn't egg,

Filly,

It was dear little clean feathers,

Like a canary bird's wings,

She said.

Now the chickens are as cold and forlorn as you would feel if you tumbled into a pond and no one gave you any dry clothes.

You'd better go and warm them very gently in your hands and then let them run around in the sun.

I will,

Said Filly,

Getting down from her lap.

Only kiss me but first,

Because I didn't mean to,

You know.

Filly was very fond of Katie.

Miss Petting Girl said,

It was wonderful to see that child let himself be managed,

But I think the secret was that Katie was always so kind and loving and considerate of Phil's feelings.

Before the echo of Phil's boots had fairly died away on the stairs,

Old Mary put her head into the door.

A distressed expression on her face.

Miss Katie,

She said,

I wish you'd speak to Alexander about putting the woodshed in order.

I don't think you know how bad it looks.

I don't suppose I do,

Said Katie,

Smiling.

She'd never seen the woodshed since the day of her fall from the swing.

She sighed.

Never mind,

Mary,

I'll talk to Alexander about it and he'll make it all nice.

And there's a man come with a box of soap.

There's the bill.

He says it's resated.

It took Katie a little time to find her purse,

And then she wanted her pencil and account book,

And Elsie had to move from her seat at the table.

Oh dear,

She said,

I wish people wouldn't keep coming and interrupting us.

Who'll be next?

She was not left to wonder long.

Almost as soon as she spoke,

There was another knock on the door.

I found the front door open,

Explained Imogen in her high-pitched voice.

Her skirt and clatter of boot heels swept into the room.

Katie was surprised.

She had not seen Imogen for almost two years.

I hope I'm not interrupting anything private.

Not at all,

Said Katie politely.

Elsie,

Dear,

Move up that low chair,

Please.

Do sit down,

Imogen.

I'm sorry nobody answered your ring,

But the servants are cleaning house today and I suppose they didn't hear.

So Imogen sat down and began to rattle on in her usual manner.

By and by,

The object of Imogen's visit came out.

She had called to say goodbye because the Clark family were all going back to Jacksonville to live.

Half an hour she stayed,

And then she took her leave.

She never asked how you were,

Cried Elsie indignantly.

I noticed and she didn't ask not once.

Oh well,

I suppose she forgot,

Replied Katie.

We were talking about her,

Not about me.

Then the little group settled down again to their work.

This time half an hour went by without any more interruptions.

Then the doorbell rang and Bridget,

With a disturbed face,

Came up the stairs.

Miss Katie,

She said,

It's old Mrs.

Warwick and I reckon she's come to spend the day,

For she's brought her bag.

Whatever shall I tell her?

Katie looked dismayed.

How unlucky,

What can we do?

Mrs.

Warwick was an old friend of Aunt Izzy's who lived in the country about six miles from Burnet.

She was in the habit of coming to Dr.

Carr's for lunch.

On days when shopping or other business brought her into town.

This did not occur often though,

And as it happens Katie had never had to entertain her before.

Tell her you're busy and can't see her,

Suggested Bridget.

There's no dinner or nothing,

You know.

The Katie of two years ago would probably have jumped at this idea,

But the Katie of today was more considerate.

No,

I don't like to do that,

She said,

We'll just have to make the best of it,

Bridget.

Tell Mrs.

Warwick the dining room is in all confusion,

But we'll have lunch here.

She'll be so hot.

Bridget,

Can you bring up the lunch just the same and make out some canned peaches by way of dessert and make Mrs.

Warwick a cup of tea.

She drinks tea always,

I believe.

I can't bear to send the old lady away when she's come so far,

She explained.

It took some time to call Mrs.

Warwick off,

So nearly twenty minutes passed before a heavy creaking step on the stairs announced the guest was on her way up.

Elsie began to giggle.

Mrs.

Warwick always made her giggle.

She was the most enormously fat person she'd ever seen.

Nobody dared to guess how much she weighed but she looked as if it might be a thousand pounds.

Her face was extremely red.

In the coldest weather she appeared hot and on mild days she appeared absolutely ready to melt.

Her bonnet strings were flying loose as she came in and she found herself all the way across the room which shook as she walked.

Well,

My dear,

She said as she plumped herself into the rocking chair,

And how do you do?

Very well,

Thank you,

Replied Katie.

And how's your pa?

Katie answered politely and then after Mrs.

Warwick's own health.

Well,

I'm sosed to be round was the reply.

This sent Elsie off into a fit of laughter behind Katie's chair.

I had business at the bank,

Continued the visitor and I thought while I was about it I'd step up to Miss Pettingill's and see if I could get her to come and let out my black silk.

It was made quite a piece back and I seem to have fleshed up a bit since then because I can't make the hooks and eyes meet in the middle but when I got there she was out so I had my walk for nothing.

Do you know where Miss Pettingill's sewing now?

No,

Said Katie,

Feeling her chair shake and keeping her own countenance with difficulty.

She was here for three days last week to make Johnny a school dress but I haven't heard anything about her since.

Then they sat together a while and had something to eat.

When at last she was finished she said tying her bonnet strings Well,

I've had a good rest and feel all the better for it.

Ain't some of you young folks coming to see me one of these days?

I'd like to have you first rate if you will.

Don't every girl would know how to take care of a fat old woman and make her feel to home as you have me Katie.

I wish your aunt could see you now.

She'd be right pleased I know that.

Somehow this sentence rang pleasantly in Katie's ears and later that evening she said when the children after their tea in the clean fresh dining room were coming up to sit with her She's a real kind old woman.

I thought that she's fat and Aunt Izzy was fond of her you know.

It's doing something for her when we can show her a little attention.

I was sorry when she came but now it's over I'm glad.

Then Ceci whispered to Clover Isn't Katie sweet?

Isn't she?

Replied Clover.

I wish I was half so good.

Sometimes I think I should be really sorry if she gets well.

She's such a dear old darling to us now sitting there in her chair that it wouldn't seem so nice to have her anywhere else.

But I know that's horrid and I don't believe she'll be different or gross slam bang and horrid like some of the girls even if she was well.

Of course she wouldn't replied Ceci.

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