What Katy Did Part 13: Bedtime Story

Hello, beloveds.

This is the final part of our story together, 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 Katy's adventures as she learns some very important life lessons.

Have a beautiful day.

Transcript

Hello dear ones,

And welcome to today's reading of What Katie Did.

This is our final chapter today,

Chapter Thirteen.

It was about six weeks after this that one day Clover and Elsie were busy downstairs.

They were startled by the sound of Katie's bell ringing in a sudden and agitated manner.

Both ran up two steps at a time to see what was wanted.

Katie sat in her chair looking very much flushed and excited.

Oh girls!

She exclaimed.

What do you think?

I stood up.

What?

Cried Clover and Elsie.

I really did.

I stood up on my feet by myself.

The others were too much astonished to speak,

So Katie went on explaining.

It was all at once,

You see.

Suddenly I had the feeling that if I tried I could.

And almost before I thought,

I did try,

And there I was,

Up and out of the chair.

Only I kept hold of the arm all the time.

I don't know how I got back.

I was so frightened.

Oh girls!

And Katie buried her face in her hands.

Do you think I shall ever be able to do it again?

She asked,

Looking up with wet eyes.

Why of course you will,

Said Clover,

While Elsie danced about,

Crying out anxiously.

Oh be careful Katie,

Do be careful.

Katie tried,

But the spring was gone.

She could not move out of the chair at all.

She began to wonder if she had dreamed the whole thing.

But next day,

When Clover happened to be in the room,

She heard a sudden exclamation.

And turning,

There stood Katie,

Absolutely on her feet.

Papa!

Papa!

Shrieked Clover,

Rushing downstairs.

Dory!

John!

Elsie!

Come!

Come and see!

Papa was out,

But all the rest clouded up at once.

This time Katie found no trouble in doing it again.

It seemed as if her will had been asleep.

And now that it had woken up,

The limbs recognised its orders and obeyed them.

When Papa came home,

He was as much excited as any of the children.

He walked round and round the chair,

Questioning Katie and making her stand up and sit down.

Am I really going to get well?

She asked,

Almost in a whisper.

Yes,

My love,

I think you are,

Said Dr Carr,

Seizing Phil and giving him a toss into the air.

None of the children had ever before seen Papa behave so like a boy.

But pretty soon,

Noticing Katie's burning cheeks and excited eyes,

He calmed himself,

Sent the others all away and sat down to soothe and quiet her with gentle words.

I think it is coming,

Darling,

He said,

But it will take time and you must have a great deal of patience.

After being such a good child all these years,

I am sure you won't fail now.

Remember,

Any imprudence will put you back.

You must be content to gain very little at a time.

There is no royal road to walking any more than there is to learning.

Every baby finds that out.

Oh,

Papa,

Said Katie,

It's no matter if it takes a year,

If only I get well at last.

How happy she was that night,

Too happy to sleep.

Papa noticed the dark circles under her eyes in the morning and shook his head.

You must be careful,

Katie,

He told her,

Or you'll be laid up again.

A course of fever would put you back for years.

Katie knew Papa was right and she was careful,

Though it was by no means easy to be so with that new life tingling in every limb.

At first she only stood on her feet for a few seconds,

Then a minute,

Then five minutes,

Holding tightly all the while by the chair.

Next she ventured to let the chair go and stand alone.

After that she began to walk a step at a time,

Pushing the chair before her as children do when they are learning the use of their feet.

Clover and Elsie hovered about her as she moved like anxious mamas.

It was draw and a little pitiful to see tall Katie with her feeble,

Unsteady progress and the active figures of the little sisters following her protectingly.

But Katie did not consider it either draw or pitiful.

To her it was simply delightful,

The most delightful thing possible.

No baby of a year old was ever prouder of his first steps than she.

Gradually she grew adventurous and ventured on a bolder flight.

Clover,

Running upstairs one day to her own room,

Stood transfixed at the sight of Katie sitting there,

Flushed,

Panting,

But enjoying the surprise that she'd caused.

You see,

She said,

I was seized with a desire to explore.

It's such a time since I saw any room but my own.

But oh dear,

How long that hall is.

I had forgotten it could be so long.

I shall have to take a good rest before I go back.

Katie did take a good rest but she was very tired the next day.

The experiment,

However,

Did no harm.

In the course of two or three weeks she was able to walk all over the second story.

This was a great enjoyment.

It was like reading an interesting book to see all the new things and the little changes.

She was forever wondering over something.

Why,

Dory,

She would say.

What a pretty bookshelf.

When did you get it?

That old thing?

Why,

I've had it two years.

Didn't I ever tell you about it?

Perhaps you did,

Katie would reply.

But you see,

I never saw it before so it made no impression.

By the end of August she was grown so strong that she began to talk about going downstairs.

But Papa said wait.

It will tire you out much more than walking about on a level,

He explained.

You had better put it off a little while till you were quite sure of your feet.

I think so too,

Said Clover.

And besides,

I want to have the house all put in order and made nice before your sharp eyes see it,

Mrs.

Housekeeper.

Oh,

I'll tell you,

Such a beautiful idea has come into my head.

You shall fix a date to come down,

Katie,

And we'll be all ready for you and have a celebration among ourselves.

That would be just lovely.

How soon may she,

Papa?

Well,

In ten days,

I should say.

It might be so.

Ten days?

That will bring it to the 7th of September,

Won't it?

Said Katie.

Then,

Papa,

If I may,

I'll come down for the first time on the 8th.

It was Mama's birthday,

You know,

She added in a lower voice.

So,

It was settled.

Oh,

How delicious,

Cried Clover,

Skipping about and clapping her hands.

I never,

Never did hear of anything so perfectly lovely.

Papa,

When are you coming downstairs?

I want to speak to you dreadfully.

Right away,

Rather than have my coattails pulled off,

Answered Dr Carr,

Laughing,

And they went away together.

Katie sat looking out of the window in a peaceful,

Happy mood.

Oh,

She thought,

Can it really be?

Is school going to let out,

Just as cousin Helen,

Him,

Said?

Am I going to bid a sweet goodbye to pain?

But there was love in the pain,

I see it now.

How good the dear teacher has been to me.

Clover seemed to be very busy all the rest of that week.

She was having the windows washed,

She said.

But this explanation hardly accounted for her long absences and the mysterious look on her face,

Not to mention certain sounds of hammering and sawing which came from downstairs.

The other children had evidently been warned to say nothing,

For once or twice Philly broke out with a,

Oh,

Katie,

And then hushed himself up,

Saying,

I most forgot.

Katie grew very curious,

But she saw that the secret,

Whatever it was,

Gave immense satisfaction to everybody except herself.

So,

Though she longed to know,

She concluded not to spoil the fun by asking any questions.

See,

Said Katie,

As Clover came into the room a little before tea time,

Miss Pettingill has brought home my new dress.

I'm going to wear it for the first time to go downstairs in.

How pretty,

Said Clover,

Examining the dress,

Which was a soft dove-coloured cashmere,

Trimmed with ribbon of the same shade.

But Katie,

I came up to shut your door.

Bridget's going to sweep the hall and I don't want the dust to fly in,

Because your room was brushed this morning,

You know.

What a strange time to sweep the hall,

Said Katie.

Why don't you make her wait until the morning?

Oh,

She can't.

There are.

.

.

She has.

.

.

I mean,

There will be other things for her to do tomorrow.

It's a great deal more convenient that she should do it now.

Don't worry,

Katie darling,

But just keep your door shut.

You will,

Won't you?

Promise me.

Very well,

Said Katie,

More and more amazed,

But yielding to Clover's eagerness.

I'll keep it shut.

Her curiosity was excited.

She took a book and tried to read,

But the letters danced and danced up and down before her eyes,

And she couldn't help listening.

Bridget was making such a noise with her broom,

But through it all,

Katie seemed to hear other sounds.

Feet on the stairs,

Doors opening and shutting.

Once a stifled giggle.

How strange it all was.

Never mind,

She said resolutely.

I shall know tomorrow what it's all about.

Tomorrow dawned fresh and fair,

The very ideal of a September day.

Katie,

Said Clover,

As she came in from the garden with her hands full of flowers.

That dress of yours is so sweet.

You never looked so nice before in your life.

And she stuck a beautiful carnation,

Pink,

Under Katie's breast pin and fastened another in her hair.

There,

She said,

Now you're ready.

Papa is coming up in a few minutes to take you down.

Just then Elsie and Johnny came in.

They had on their best frocks.

So had Clover.

It was evidently a festival day to all of the house.

Cece followed,

Invited over for the special purpose of seeing Katie walk downstairs.

She,

Too,

Had on a new frock.

How fine we are,

Said Clover,

As she remarked this magnificence.

Turn around,

Cece.

You are getting awfully grown up,

Miss Hall.

None of us will ever be so grown up as Katie,

Said Cece,

Laughing.

And now Papa appeared.

Very slowly they all went downstairs.

Katie leaning on Papa,

With Dory on her other side and the girls behind,

While Philly clattered ahead.

And there were Debbie and Bridget and Alexander peeping out of the kitchen door to watch her and dear old Mary with her apron at her eyes,

Crying for joy.

Oh,

The front door is open,

Said Katie in a delighted tone.

How nice.

And what a pretty oilcloth.

That's new since I was here.

Don't stop to look at that,

Cried Philly,

Who seemed in a great hurry about something.

It isn't new.

It's been there forever and ever.

Come into the parlour instead.

Yes,

Said Papa.

Dinner isn't quite ready yet.

You'll have time to rest a little after your walk downstairs.

You have borne it admirably,

Katie.

Are you very tired?

Not a bit,

Replied Katie,

Cheerfully.

I could do it alone,

I think.

Oh,

The bookcase door has been mended.

How nice it looks.

Oh,

Don't wait,

Don't wait,

Repeated Phil,

In an agony of impatience.

So they moved on.

Papa opened the parlour door.

Katie took one step into the room,

Then stopped.

The colour flashed over her face and she howled by the doorknob to support herself.

What was it that she saw?

Not merely the room itself,

With its fresh muslin curtains and vases of flowers.

Not even the wide,

Beautiful window which had been cut toward the sun.

Or the inviting little couch and table which stood there evidently for her.

No,

There was something else.

The sofa was pulled out,

And there upon it,

Supported by pillows,

Her bright eyes turned to the door,

Lay cousin Helen.

When she saw Katie,

She held out her arms.

Clover and Cece agreed afterward that they never were so frightened in their lives as at this moment.

For Katie,

Forgetting her weakness,

Let go of Papa's arm and absolutely ran toward the sofa.

Oh cousin Helen,

Dear cousin Helen,

She cried.

Then she tumbled down by the sofa somehow.

The two pairs of arms and the two faces met,

And for a moment or two,

Not a word more was heard from anybody.

Isn't it a nice surprise?

Shouted Philly,

Turning the Somerset by way of relieving his feelings,

While John and Dory executed a sort of war dance around the sofa.

Phil's voice seemed to break the spell of silence,

And a perfect hubbub of questions and exclamations began.

It appeared that this happy thought of getting cousin Helen to the celebration was Clover's.

She,

It was,

Who had proposed it to Papa and made all the arrangements.

And,

The artful puss,

She had set Bridget to sweep the hall on purpose that Katie might not hear the noise of the arrival.

Cousin Helen's going to stay three weeks this time.

Isn't that nice?

Asked Elsie,

While Clover anxiously questioned.

Are you sure that you didn't suspect?

Not one bit,

Katie.

Not the least tiny weeny bit.

No,

Indeed,

Not the least.

How could I suspect anything so perfectly delightful?

And Katie gave cousin Helen another rapturous kiss.

Such a short day as that seemed.

There was so much to see,

To ask about,

To talk over,

That the hours flew,

And evening dropped upon them like another great surprise.

Cousin Helen was perhaps the happiest of the party.

Beside the pleasure of knowing Katie to be almost well again,

She had the additional enjoyment of seeing for herself how many changes,

For the better,

Had taken place during the four years among the little cousins that she loved so much.

It was very interesting to watch them all.

Elsie and Dory seemed to her the most improved of the family.

Elsie had quite lost her plaintive look and little injured tone,

And was as bright and beaming a maiden of twelve as anyone could wish to see.

Dory's moody face had grown open and sensible,

And his manners were good-humoured.

He was still a sober boy,

And not specially quick in catching an idea.

To him,

As to all the other children,

Katie was evidently the centre and the sun.

They all revolved about her,

And trusted her for everything.

Cousin Helen looked on as Phil came in crying after a hard tumble,

And was consoled as Johnny whispered an important secret,

And Elsie begged for help in her work.

She saw Katie meet them all pleasantly and sweetly,

Without a bit of the dictatorial elder sister in her manner.

And best of all,

She saw the change in Katie's own face,

The gentle expression of her eyes,

The womanly look,

The pleasant voice,

The politeness,

The tact in advising the others without seeming to advise.

Dear Katie,

She said,

A day or two after her arrival.

This visit is a great pleasure to me.

You can't think how great.

It's such a contrast to the last I made,

When you were so sick,

And everybody was so sad.

Do you remember?

Indeed I do,

And how good you were,

And how you helped me.

I shall never forget that.

I'm glad,

But what I could do was very little.

You have been learning by yourself all this time,

And Katie,

Darling,

I want to tell you how pleased I am to see how bravely you have worked your way up.

I can perceive it in everything,

In papa,

In the children,

In yourself.

You have won the place,

Which you recollect I once told you you should try to gain,

Of being to everybody the heart of the house.

Oh,

Cousin Helen,

Don't,

Said Katie,

Her eyes filling up with tears.

I haven't been brave.

You can't think how badly I sometimes have behaved,

How cross and ungrateful I am,

And how stupid and slow.

Every day I see things which ought to be done,

And I don't do them.

It's delightful to have you praise me,

But you mustn't.

I really don't deserve it.

But although she said she didn't deserve it,

I think,

Don't you,

Reader,

That Katie did.

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