Come , mamma , let us promise , and see what these rogues will do for us . Playing father and mother is no joke , mind you ; but you will have an easier time of it than we do , for we shall behave ourselves , ' said papa , with a virtuous expression . Mamma agreed , and the supper ended merrily , for every one was full of curiosity as to the success of the new play . Harry and Kitty went to bed early , that they might be ready for the exciting labors of the next day . Aunt Betsey paid each a short visit before they slept , and it is supposed that she laid out the order of performances , and told each what to do ; for the little people would never have thought of so many sly things if left to themselves . At seven the next morning , as mamma was in her dressing-room , just putting on her cool , easy wrapper , in came Kitty with a solemn face , though her eyes danced with fun , as she said , -- ` Careless , untidy girl ! Put on a clean dress , do up your hair properly , and go and practise half an hour before breakfast . ' At first mamma looked as if inclined to refuse , but Kitty was firm ; and , with a sigh , mamma rustled into a stiff , scratchy , French print , took her hair out of the comfortable net , and braided it carefully up ; then , instead of reading in her arm-chair , she was led to the parlor and set to learning a hard piece of music . ` Ca n't I have my early cup of tea and my roll ? ' she asked . ` Eating between meals is a very bad habit , and I ca n't allow it , ' said Kitty , in the tone her mother often used to her . ' I shall have a mug of new milk and a roll , because grown people need more nourishment than children ; ' and sitting down , she ate her early lunch with a relish , while poor mamma played away , feeling quite out of tune herself . Harry found papa enjoying the last delightful doze that makes bed so fascinating of a morning . As if half afraid to try the experiment , the boy slowly approached and gave the sleeper a sudden , hard shake , saying briskly , -- ` Come , come , come , lazy-bones ! Get up , get up ! ' Papa started as if an earthquake had roused him , and stared at Harry , astonished for a minute , then he remembered , and upset Harry 's gravity by whining out , -- ` Come , you let me alone . It is n't time yet , and I am so tired . ' Harry took the joke , and assuming the stern air of his father on such occasions , said impressively , -- ` You have been called , and now if you are not down in fifteen minutes you wo n't have any breakfast . Not a morsel , sir , not a morsel ; ' and , coolly pocketing his father 's watch , he retired , to giggle all the way downstairs . When the breakfast bell rang , mamma hurried into the dining-room , longing for her tea .
But XXXXX sat behind the urn , and said gravely , -- ` Go back , and enter the room properly .
Betsey French Harry Kitty doze dressing-room earthquake first lazy-bones left