Ida's New Shoes by Madeline Leslie

"LOOK, aunty, see my pretty new shoes!"

Little Ida danced up and down, holding back the skirt of her dress to display the present papa had brought her.

"Very pretty," said Aunt Mary. "I hope my little niece will never let them carry her into mischief."

"No, indeed, aunty! I'm going to be a real good girl now. See how softly I can step in them."

And she went on tiptoe to the door of the bedroom, where her mother was confined with an attack of nervous headache.

Mrs. Kent's head was bandaged tightly with a wet towel, the room being darkened, in the hope she would be able to drop to sleep.

But Ida did not think of this.

She wanted her mamma to see how nicely her foot looked in the new boot. She was so quick in her motions, that before Aunt Mary knew what she was about, she had pushed a cricket to the side of the bed, and jumped up, boots and all.

"O Ida! What are you doing? " exclaimed the lady, with a groan. "I was just falling asleep. Jump right off the bed, dear; you jar my head dreadfully."

"See my shoes, first, mamma! Berty tied 'em up for me."

"Ida Kent, come out of that room this minute! " said Aunt Mary. "Your ma is very sick; and you'll make her worse with your noise."

"No, I won't! I'll make her better. I'm going to comb your hair, mamma. You said I might."

Mrs. Kent groaned again. "Do take her away, Mary. I shall die with this dreadful pain. If I could be quiet one hour, I think I should be better."

Aunt Mary took Ida firmly by the hand.

"I won't go! I won't! " screamed the naughty child, at the top of her voice, clinging at the same time to the bedpost.

"Go this minute, Ida," said her mother, holding her throbbing head between her hands. "And Mary, take off those new shoes. She mustn't wear them till she can behave better."

The naughty girl gave a scream of passion, and was carried out of the room by Aunt Mary, who was obliged to hold her hands to keep her from scratching anywhere she could reach.

Mamma tried to shut her ears, but no, she could hear the loud, angry screams, until Aunt Mary closed the doors in a distant chamber.

Even then, her head throbbed painfully, as she readily imagined the naughty conduct of her little girl.

"What shall I do with her? " she kept saying to herself. "How can I help her conquer her hasty temper? So affectionate one moment, so passionate the next."