ROSE-RED AND RUTHIE

 It was Rose Mary's mother who named her Rose-Red. Rose-Ready, it was at first, because Rose Mary was always ready to help. Then it became just Rose-Red, for short.

 

Rose-Red had much of the sweetness of her name flower, and few of the thorns. That is why, when Ruthie slapped her, Rose-Red didn't slap back. But she came home crying.

 

Rose-Red's mamma gathered her up in her arms and comforted her. "Ruthie's probably sorry now, dear," she said. "Perhaps she will tell you so by and by. Will my little girl be Rose-Ready, if she does?"

 

"Rose-Ready for what, mamma?" Rose-Red sat up and dried her eyes.

 

"Rose-Ready-to-Forgive."

 

Rose-Red nodded. "I think I'll gather the posies now," was all she said.

 

Every day Rose-Red cut fresh flowers in the garden and arranged them for the house. It was the one thing in all the world she liked best to do. The roses she always left till the last—"for dessert," she explained.

 

 

"Roses, dear," she said, as she tucked them one by one into their special bowl, "what would you do if your best friend slapped you?"

 

Just then a thorn pricked¹ Rose-Red's finger. "You'd prick² her, would you?" Rose-Red laughed. "That's because you are only a rose and don't know any better. It wouldn't be nice for a little girl to prick. I do know something better!"

 

Rose-Red chose six of the finest roses and carefully clipped off all their thorns. Then she ran to the gate between her yard and Ruthie's, and slipped them into a covered box beside it. This box was Rose-Red's and Ruthie's post office. Nearly every day something went into it from one little girl to the other.

 

Four o'clock was mail time. Postman Rose-Red hid behind a bush and watched.

 

Presently Postman Ruthie came down the path. She opened the box and took out the fragrant³ "letter." Then she laid something inside, drew down the cover, and ran back.

 

It was Postman Rose-Red's turn now to open the box. Her letter was a real one. It said, "I'm sorry."

 

Rose-Ready-to-Forgive flew through the gate.

 

"Ruthie! Ruthie!" she called.

 

And then Rose-Red kissed Ruthie, and Ruthie kissed Rose-Red. And that was the last of Ruthie-Ready-to-Slap.

1 pricked   

刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛

参考例句：

• The cook pricked a few holes in the pastry. 厨师在馅饼上戳了几个洞。
• He was pricked by his conscience. 他受到良心的谴责。

2 prick   

v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛

参考例句：

• He felt a sharp prick when he stepped on an upturned nail.当他踩在一个尖朝上的钉子上时，他感到剧烈的疼痛。
• He burst the balloon with a prick of the pin.他用针一戳，气球就爆了。

3 fragrant   

adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的

参考例句：

• The Fragrant Hills are exceptionally beautiful in late autumn.深秋的香山格外美丽。
• The air was fragrant with lavender.空气中弥漫薰衣草香。