What Katy Did Part 10: Bedtime Story

Hello, beloveds.

This is my reading of part ten of What Katy Did, by Susan Coolidge. I loved reading this, so I hope you enjoy listening, dear ones.

This is a delightful story following the adventures of a twelve-year-old girl, Katy Carr, and her family who live in the fictional lakeside Ohio town of Burnet in the 1860s. Katy is a tall, untidy tomboy, forever getting into scrapes but wishing to be beautiful and beloved. Our story follows the adventures of Katy as she learns some very important life lessons.

Have a beautiful day.

Transcript

Hello dear ones,

And welcome to today's reading,

What Katie Did,

Chapter 10.

What are the children all doing today?

Said Katie,

Laying down Norway and the Norwegians,

Which she was reading for the fourth time.

I haven't seen them since breakfast.

Aunt Izzy,

Who was sewing on the other side of the room,

Looked up from her work.

I don't know,

She said.

They're over at Cece's,

Or somewhere.

I'll be back before long,

I guess.

Her voice sounded a little odd and mysterious,

But Katie didn't notice it.

I thought of such a nice plan yesterday,

She went on.

That was,

That all of them should hang their stockings up here tomorrow night,

Instead of in the nursery.

Then I could see them open their presents,

You know.

May they,

Aunt Izzy.

It would be real fun.

I don't believe there will be any objection,

Replied her aunt.

She looked as if she were trying not to laugh.

Katie wondered what was the matter with her.

It was more than two months now since Cousin Helen went away,

And winter had fairly come.

Snow was falling outdoors.

Katie could see the thick flakes go whirling past the window.

But the sight did not chill her.

It only made the room look warmer and more cosy.

It was a pleasant room now.

There was a bright fire in the grate.

Everything was neat and orderly.

A little glass of flowers stood on the table,

And the Katie who lay in bed was a very different looking Katie from the girl of the last chapter.

Cousin Helen's visit,

Though it lasted only one day,

Did great good.

Not that Katie grew perfect all at once.

None of us do that,

Even in books.

But it is everything to be started in the right path.

Katie's feet were on it now,

And though she often stumbled and slipped,

And often sat down discouraged,

She kept on pretty steadily,

In spite of the bad days,

Which made her say to herself that she was not getting forward at all.

These bad days,

When everything seemed hard,

And she herself was cross and fretful,

And drove the children out of her room,

Cost Katie many bitter tears.

But after them,

She would pick herself up and try again,

And try harder.

And I think that in spite of drawbacks,

The little scholar,

On the whole,

Was learning her lesson pretty well.

Cousin Helen was a great comfort all this time.

She never forgot Katie.

Nearly every week some little thing came from her.

Sometimes it was a pencil note,

Written from her sofa.

Sometimes it was an interesting book,

Or a new magazine,

Or some pretty little thing for the room.

The crimson wrapper,

Which Katie wore,

Was one of her presents.

So were the bright chromos of autumn leaves,

Which hung on the wall,

The little stand for the books,

All sorts of things.

Katie loved to look about her as she lay.

All the room seemed full of Cousin Helen and her kindness.

I wish I had something pretty to put into everybody's stocking,

She went on,

Wistfully.

But I've only got the muffatees for Papa,

And these reins for Phil.

She took them from under her pillow as she spoke.

She had knit them herself,

A very little bit at a time.

There's my pink sash,

She said suddenly.

I might give that to Clover.

I only wore it once,

You know,

And I don't think I got any spots on it.

Would you please fetch it and let me see,

Aunt Izzy?

It's in the top drawer.

Aunt Izzy brought the sash.

It proved to be quite fresh,

And they both decided that it would do nicely for Clover.

I know I shan't want sashes for ever so long,

Said Katie in a rather sad tone,

And this is a beauty.

When she spoke next,

Her voice was bright again.

I wish I had something real nice for Elsie.

Do you know,

Aunt Izzy,

I think that Elsie is the dearest little girl that ever was.

I'm glad you found it out,

Said Aunt Izzy,

Who had always been specially fond of Elsie.

What she wants most of all is a writing desk,

Continued Katie,

And Johnny wants a sled.

But oh dear,

Those are such big things,

Aunt Izzy,

And I've only got two dollars and a quarter.

Aunt Izzy marched out of the room without saying anything.

When she came back,

She had something folded up in her hand.

I didn't know what to give you for Christmas,

Katie,

She said.

Because Helen sends you such a lot of things that there doesn't seem to be anything you haven't already.

So I thought I'd give you this and let you choose for yourself.

But if you've set your heart on getting presents for the children,

Perhaps you'd rather have it now.

So Aunt Izzy laid on the bed a crisp new five dollar bill.

Oh how good you are,

Cried Katie,

Flushed with pleasure.

And indeed,

Aunt Izzy did seem to have grown wonderfully good of late.

Perhaps Katie had got hold of her smooth handle.

Being now in possession of seven dollars and a quarter,

Katie could afford to be gorgeously generous.

She gave Aunt Izzy an exact description of the desk she wanted.

It's no matter about it being very big,

Said Katie,

But it must have a blue velvet lining and an inkstand with a silver top.

And please buy some little sheets of paper and envelopes,

And a pen handle,

The prettiest one you can find.

Oh,

And there must be a lock and key.

Don't forget that,

Aunt Izzy.

No,

I won't.

What else?

I'd like the sled to be green,

Went on Katie,

And to have a nice name.

Skyscraper would be nice if there was one.

Johnny saw a sled once called Skyscraper,

And she said it was splendid.

And if there's money enough left,

Auntie,

Won't you buy me a real nice book for Dory,

And another one for Cece,

And a silver thimble for Mary.

Her old one is full of holes.

Oh,

And some candy,

And something for Debbie and Bridget.

Some little thing,

You know.

I think that's all.

Was ever seven dollars and a quarter expected to do so much?

Aunt Izzy must have been a witch indeed,

Because she made it hold out.

And the next day,

All the precious bundles came home.

And how Katie enjoyed untying the strings.

Everything was exactly right.

There wasn't any Skyscraper,

Said Aunt Izzy,

So I got Snow Skimmer instead.

It's beautiful,

And I like it just as well,

Said Katie contentedly.

Oh,

Hide them,

Hide them,

She cried with sudden terror.

Somebody's coming.

But the somebody was only Papa,

Who put his head into the room as Aunt Izzy,

Laden with bundles,

Scuttled across the hall.

Katie was glad to catch him alone.

She had a little private secret to talk over with him.

It was about Aunt Izzy,

For whom she,

As yet,

Had no present.

I thought perhaps she could get me a book,

Like that one of Cousin Helen's,

Which Aunt Izzy liked so much,

She said.

I don't recollect the name exactly.

It was something about a shadow.

But I've spent all my money,

Papa.

Never mind about that,

Said Dr.

Carr.

We'll make that right.

The Shadow of the Cross.

Was that it?

I'll buy it this afternoon.

Oh,

Thank you,

Papa.

And please,

Get a brown cover if you can,

Because Cousin Helen's was brown.

And you won't let Aunt Izzy know,

Will you?

Be careful,

Papa.

I'll swallow the book first,

Brown cover and all,

Said Papa,

Making a funny face.

He was pleased to see Katie so interested about anything again.

These delightful secrets took up so much of her thoughts that Katie scarcely found time to wonder at the absence of the children,

Who generally haunted her room,

But who for three days back had hardly been seen.

However,

After supper,

They all came up in a body,

Looking very merry,

And as if they had been having a good time somewhere.

You don't know what we've been doing,

Began Philly.

Hush,

Phil,

Said Clover,

In a warning voice.

Then she divided the stockings,

Which she held in her hand,

And everybody proceeded to hang them up.

Dory hung his one on the side of the fireplace,

And John,

Hers exactly opposite.

Clover and Phil suspended theirs side by side,

On two handles of the bureau.

I'm going to put mine here,

Close to Katie,

So that she can see it the first thing in the morning,

Said Elsie,

Pinning hers to the bedpost.

Then they all sat down round the fire,

To write their wishes on bits of paper,

And see whether they would burn or fly up the chimney.

If they did the latter,

It was a sign that Santa Claus had them safe,

And would bring the things they wished for.

John wished for a sled,

And a doll's tea set,

And the continuation of the Swiss Family Robinson.

Dory's list ran like this.

A plum cake,

A new Bible,

Harry and Lucy,

A kaleidoscope,

And anything else Santa Claus likes.

When they had written these lists,

They threw them into the fire.

The fire gave a flicker just then,

And the papers vanished.

Nobody saw exactly how.

John thought they flew up the chimney,

But Dory said they didn't.

Phil dropped his piece in very solemnly.

It flamed for a minute,

Then sank into ashes.

There,

You won't get it,

Whatever it was,

Said Dory.

What did you write,

Phil?

Nothing,

Said Phil,

Only just Philly Carl.

The children shouted.

I wrote a writing desk on mine,

Remarked Elsie,

Sorrowfully,

But it all burned up.

Katie chuckled when she heard this.

And now Clover produced her list.

She read aloud.

Strive and thrive,

A pair of kid gloves,

A moth,

A good temper.

Then she dropped it into the fire.

Behold,

It flew straight up the chimney.

How strange,

Said Katie.

None of the rest of them did that.

The truth was that Clover,

Who was a canny little mortal,

Had slipped across the room and opened the door just before putting her wishes in.

This,

Of course,

Made a draft,

And sent the paper right upward.

Pretty soon,

Aunt Izzy came in and swept them all off to bed.

I know how it will be in the morning,

She said.

You'll all be up and racing about as soon as it's light,

So you must get your sleep now,

If ever.

After they had gone,

Katie recollected that nobody had offered to hang a stocking up for her.

She felt a little hurt when she thought of it.

But I suppose they forgot,

She said to herself.

A little later,

Papa and Aunt Izzy came in and they filled the stockings.

It was great fun.

Each was brought to Katie as she lay in bed,

That she might arrange it as she liked.

The toes were stuffed with candy and oranges.

Then came the parcels,

All shapes and sizes,

Tied in white paper with ribbons and labelled.

What's that?

Asked Dr Carr,

As Aunt Izzy rammed a long,

Narrow package into Clover's stocking.

A nailbrush,

Answered Aunt Izzy.

Clover needed a new one.

How Papa and Katie laughed.

I don't believe Santa Claus ever had such a thing before,

Said Dr Carr.

Well,

He's a very dirty old gentleman then,

Observed Aunt Izzy grimly.

The desk and sled were too big to go into any stocking,

So they were wrapped in paper and hung beneath the other things.

It was ten o'clock before all was done,

And Papa and Aunt Izzy went away.

Katie lay a long time watching the strange shapes of the stocking legs as they dangled in the firelight.

Then she fell asleep.

It seemed only a minute before something touched her and she woke up.

Behold,

It was daytime and there was Filly in his nightgown,

Climbing up on the bed to kiss her.

The rest of the children,

Half-dressed,

Were dancing about with their stockings in their hands.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

They cried.

Oh,

Katie,

Such beautiful,

Beautiful things!

Oh,

Shrieked Elsie,

Who at that moment spied her desk.

Santa Claus did bring it after all.

Why,

It's got From Katie written on it.

Oh,

Katie,

It's so sweet and I'm so happy,

And Elsie hugged Katie and sobbed with pleasure.

But what was that strange thing beside the bed?

Katie stared and rubbed her eyes.

It certainly had not been there when she went to sleep.

How had it come?

It was a little evergreen tree planted in a red flower pot.

The pot had strips of gilt paper stuck on it,

And gilt stars and crosses,

Which made it look very happy.

The trees were hung with oranges and nuts and shiny red apples and popcorn balls and strings of bright berries.

There were also a number of little packages tied with blue and crimson ribbon.

And all together the tree looked so pretty that Katie gave a cry of delighted surprise.

It's a Christmas tree for you,

Because you're sick,

Said the children.

All trying to hug her at once.

We made it ourselves,

Said Dory,

Hopping about on one foot.

I pasted the black stars on the pot,

And I popped the corn,

Cried Philly.

Do you like it?

Asked Elsie,

Cuddling close to Katie.

That's my present,

That one tied with a green ribbon.

I wish it was nicer.

Don't you want to open them right away?

Of course Katie wanted to.

All sorts of things came out of the little bundles.

The children had arranged every parcel themselves.

No grown-up person had been allowed to help in the least.

Elsie's present was a pen wiper with a grey flannel kitten on it.

Johnny's,

A doll's tea set of scarlet tin.

Isn't it beautiful?

She said,

Admiringly.

Dory's gift,

I regret to say,

Was a huge red and yellow spider,

Which whirred wildly when waved at the end of its string.

They didn't want me to buy it,

Said he,

But I did.

I thought it would amuse you.

Does it amuse you,

Katie?

Yes,

Indeed,

Said Katie,

Laughing and blinking,

As Dory waved the spider to and fro before her eyes.

You can play with it when we ain't here,

And you're all alone,

You know,

Remarked Dory,

Highly gratified.

But you don't notice what the tree's standing upon,

Said Clover.

It was a chair,

A very large and curious one,

With a long cushioned back,

Which ended in a footstool.

That's Papa's present,

Said Clover.

See,

It tips back so as just to be like a bed,

And Papa says he thinks pretty soon you can lie on it in the window where you can see us play.

Does he really,

Said Katie.

It still hurt her very much to be touched or moved.

And see what's tied to the arm of the chair,

Said Elsie.

It was a little silver bell with Katie engraved on the handle.

Cousin Helen sent it.

It's for you to ring when you want anybody to come.

More surprises.

To the other arm of the chair was fastened a beautiful book.

It was The Wide,

Wide World,

And there was Katie's name written on it,

From her affectionate Cece.

On it stood a great parcel of dried cherries from Mrs.

Hall.

Mrs.

Hall had the most delicious dried cherries.

Oh,

How perfectly lovely everybody is,

Said Katie,

With grateful tears in her eyes.

That was a pleasant Christmas.

The children declared it to be the nicest they had ever had.

And though Katie couldn't quite say that,

She enjoyed it too,

And was very happy.

It was several weeks before she was able to use the chair,

But when she became accustomed to it,

It proved to be very comfortable.

Aunt Izzy would dress her in the morning,

Tip the chair back till it was on a level with the bed,

And then,

Very gently and gradually,

Draw her over onto it.

Wheeling across the room was always painful.

But sitting in the window,

And looking out at the clouds,

The people going by,

And the children playing in the snow,

Was delightful.

How delightful,

Nobody knows.

Except those who,

Like Katie,

Have lain for six months in bed,

Without a peep at the outside world.

Every day,

She grew brighter and more cheerful.

Oh,

How jolly Santa Claus was this year,

She happened to say one day,

When she was talking with Cece.

I wish another saint would come and pay us a visit,

But I don't know any more,

Except Cousin Helen,

And she can't.

This Saint Valentine,

Suggested Cece.

Oh,

What a bright thought,

Cried Katie,

Clapping her hands.

Oh,

Cece,

Let's do something funny on Valentine's Day.

Such a good idea has just popped into my mind.

So the two girls put their heads together,

And held a long,

Mysterious talk.

What it was about,

We shall see farther on.

Valentine's Day was the next Friday,

When the children came home from school on Thursday afternoon.

Aunt Izzy met them,

And to their great surprise,

Told them that Cece was come to drink tea,

And they must all go upstairs and be made nice.

But Cece comes most every day,

Remarked Dory,

Who didn't see the connection between this fact and having his face washed.

Yes,

But tonight,

You are to take tea in Katie's room,

Said Aunt Izzy.

Here are the invitations,

One for each of you.

Sure enough,

There was a neat little note for each,

Requesting the pleasure of their company at Queen Catherine's Palace,

That afternoon at six o'clock.

This put quite a different aspect on the affair.

The children scampered upstairs,

And pretty soon,

All nicely brushed and washed,

They were knocking formally at the door of the palace.

How fine it sounded!

The room looked bright and inviting.

Katie,

In her chair,

Sat close to the fire.

Cece was beside her,

And there was a round table,

All set out with a white cloth,

And mugs of milk and biscuit.

And strawberry jam,

And donuts.

In the middle was a loaf of frosted cake.

There was something on the icing,

Which looked like pink letters.

And Clover,

Leaning forward,

Read aloud,

Saint Valentine.

What's that for?

Asked Dory.

Why,

You know this is Saint Valentine's Eve,

Replied Katie.

Debbie remembered it,

I guess.

So she put that on.

Nothing more was said about Saint Valentine just then.

But when the last pink letter of his name had been eaten,

And the supper had been cleared away,

Suddenly,

As the children sat by the fire,

There was a loud rap at the door.

Who can that be?

Said Katie.

Please see,

Clover.

So Clover opened the door.

There stood Bridget,

Trying very hard not to laugh,

And holding a letter in her hand.

A note has come for you,

Miss Clover,

She said.

For me?

Cried Clover,

Much amazed.

Then she shut the door,

And brought the note to the table.

How very funny!

She exclaimed,

As she looked at the envelope,

Which was a green and white one.

There was something hard inside.

Clover broke the seal.

Out tumbled a small green velvet pincushion,

Made in the shape of a clover leaf,

With a tiny stem of wire wound with green silk.

Pinned to the cushion was a paper with these verses.

Some people love roses well,

Tulips gaily dressed,

Some love violets blue and sweet,

I love clover best.

Though she has a modest air,

Though no grace she boasts,

Though no gardener call her fair,

I love clover most.

Butterfly may pass her by,

He is but a rover,

I'm a faithful,

Loving bee,

And I stick to clover.

This was the first valentine Clover had ever had.

She was perfectly enchanted.

Oh,

Who do you suppose sent it?

She cried.

But before anybody could answer,

There came another loud knock at the door,

Which made them all jump.

Behold,

Bridget again,

With a second letter.

It's for you,

Miss Elsie,

This time,

She said,

With a grin.

There was an instant rush from all the children,

And the envelope was torn open in the twinkling of an eye.

Inside was a little ivory seal with Elsie on it,

In old English letters,

And these rhymes.

I know a little girl,

She is very dear to me.

She is just as sweet as honey,

When she chooses so to be.

Her name begins with E and ends with E.

She has brown hair which curls,

And black eyes for to see,

And teeth like tiny pearls,

And dimples,

One,

Two,

Three.

And her name begins with E and ends with E.

Her little feet run faster than other feet can flee.

As she brushes quickly past,

A voice hums like a bee.

And her name begins with E and ends with E.

Do you ask me why I love her?

Then I shall answer thee.

Because I can't help loving.

She is so sweet to me.

This little girl whose name begins and ends with E.

It's just like a fairy story,

Said Elsie,

Whose eyes had grown as big as saucers from surprise,

While these verses were being read aloud by Cece.

Another knock.

This time there was a perfect handful of letters.

Everybody had one.

Katie,

To her great surprise,

Had two.

Why,

What can this be,

She said.

But when she peeped into the second one,

She saw Cousin Helen's handwriting,

And she put it into her pocket,

Till the valentines should be read.

Dory's was opened first.

It had the picture of a pie at the top.

I ought to explain that Dory had lately been having a siege with the dentist.

Little Jack Horner sat in his corner,

Eating his Christmas pie,

When a sudden grimace spread over his face and he began loudly to cry.

His tender mama heard the sound from afar and hastened to comfort her child.

What aileth my John,

She inquired in a tone which belied her question mild.

Oh mother,

He said,

Every tooth in my head jumps and aches and is loose,

And it hurts me to eat anything that is sweet.

So what will become of my pie?

It were vain to describe how he roared and he cried,

And howled like a miniature tempest.

Suffice it to say that the very next day he had all his teeth pulled by a dentist.

This valentine made the children laugh for a long time.

Johnny's envelope held a paper doll named Red Riding Hood.

These were the verses.

I send you my picture,

Dear Johnny,

To show that I'm just as alive as you,

And that you needn't cry over my fate any more as you used to do.

The wolf didn't hurt me at all that day,

For I kicked and fought and cried,

Till he dropped me out of his mouth and ran away in the woods to hide.

And grandma and I lived ever since in the little brown house so small,

And churned fresh butter and made cream cheeses,

Nor seen the wolf at all.

So cry no more,

For fear I am eaten,

The naughty wolf is shot,

And if you will come to tea some evening,

You shall see for yourself I'm not.

Johnny was immensely pleased at this,

For Red Riding Hood was a great favourite of hers.

Philly had a bit of India rubber in his letter,

Which was written with very black ink on a big sheet of fools cap.

I was once a naughty man,

And I hid beneath the bed to steal your India rubbers,

But I chewed them up instead.

Then you called out,

Who is there?

I was thrown most in a fit,

And I let the India rubbers fall,

All but this little bit.

I'm sorry for my naughty ways,

And now to make amends,

I send the chewed piece back again,

And beg we may be friends.

From the Robber Just listen to mine,

Said Cece,

Who had all along pretended to be just as much surprised as anybody,

And now behaved as if she could hardly wait till Philly's was finished.

Then she read aloud.

To Cece If I were a bird,

And you were a bird,

What would we do?

Why,

You should be little,

And I would be big,

And side by side on a cherry tree twig,

We'd kiss with our yellow bills and coo.

That's what we'd do.

If I were a fish,

And you were a fish,

What would we do?

We'd frolic and whisk our little tails,

And play all sorts of tricks with the whales,

And call on the oysters and order a stew.

That's what we'd do.

If I were a bee,

And you were a bee,

What would we do?

We'd find a home in a breezy wood,

And stir it with honey sweet and good.

You should feed me,

And I should feed you.

That's what we'd do.

I think that's the prettiest of all,

Said Clover.

I don't,

Said Elsie.

I think mine is the prettiest.

Cece didn't have any seal in hers either,

And she fondled the little seal,

Which all this time she had held in her hand.

Katie,

You ought to have read yours first,

Because you're the oldest.

Oh,

Mine isn't much,

Replied Katie,

And she read.

The rose is red,

The violet blue.

Sugar is sweet,

And so are you.

Oh,

What a mean Valentine,

Cried Elsie,

With flushing eyes.

It's a real shame,

Katie.

You ought to have had the best of all.

Katie could hardly keep from laughing.

The fact was that the verses for the others had taken so long that no time had been left for writing a Valentine to herself.

So,

Thinking it would excite suspicion to have none,

She had scribbled this old rhyme at the last moment.

It isn't very nice,

She said,

But never mind.

Oh,

It's a shame,

Repeated Elsie,

Petting her very hard to make up for the injustice.

Hasn't it been a fun evening,

Said John and Dory.

We never had such a good time before Katie was sick,

Did we?

Katie heard this with a mingled feeling of pleasure and pain.

I think the children do love me a little more of late,

She said to herself.

But why couldn't I be good to them when I was well and strong?

She didn't open Cousin Helen's letter until the rest were all gone to bed.

I think somebody must have written and told about the Valentine party,

For instead of a note,

There were these verses in Cousin Helen's own clear,

Pretty hand.

It wasn't a Valentine because it was too solemn,

As Katie explained to Clover the next day.

But,

She added,

It is a great deal beautifuller than any Valentine that ever was written.

And Clover thought so too.

These were the verses.

In School I used to go to a bright school,

Where youth and frolic taught in turn.

But idle scholar that I was,

I liked to play,

I would not learn.

So the great teacher did ordain that I should try the school of pain.

One of the infant class I am,

With little easy lessons set in a great book.

The higher class have harder ones than I,

And yet I find mine hard and can't restrain my tears while studying thus with pain.

There are two teachers in the school,

One has a gentle voice and low,

And smiles upon her scholars as she softly passes to and fro.

Her name is Love,

Tis very plain.

She shuns the sharper teacher,

Pain.

Or so I sometimes think,

And then at other times they meet and kiss,

And look so strangely like,

That I am puzzled to tell how it is.

Or whence the change,

Which makes it vain,

To guess if it be love or pain.

They tell me if I study well and learn my lessons,

I shall be moved upward to that higher class,

Where dear Love teaches constantly,

And I work hard in hopes to gain,

Reward and get away from pain.

Yet pain is sometimes kind,

And helps me on when I am very done.

I thank him often in my heart,

But Love is far more beautiful.

Under her tender,

Gentle reign,

I must learn faster than of pain.

So I will do my very best,

Nor chide the clock,

Nor call it slow,

That when the teacher calls me up to see if I am fit to go,

I may to Love's high class attain,

And bid a sweet goodbye to pain.

Reviews

How simply lovely to be able to hear the continued reading by you, such joy and peace you share with us. Many thanks your way 💐