It was tied up with an evident eye to the contrast of color, and the arrangement of every leaf had carefully been studied.
Topsy looked pleased, as Eva said,--"Topsy, you arrange flowers very prettily.

Here," she said, "is this vase I haven't any flowers for.

I wish you'd arrange something every day for it." "Well, that's odd!" said Marie.

"What in the world do you want that for ?" "Never mind, mamma; you'd as lief as not Topsy should do it,--had you not ?" "Of course, anything you please, dear! Topsy, you hear your young mistress;--see that you mind." Topsy made a short courtesy, and looked down; and, as she turned away, Eva saw a tear roll down her dark cheek.
"You see, mamma, I knew poor Topsy wanted to do something for me," said Eva to her mother.
"O, nonsense! it's only because she likes to do mischief.

She knows she mustn't pick flowers,--so she does it; that's all there is to it.