good, Miss Bess! I go along well enough for a little while, and then all of a sudden I spoil it all.” And Fred gave the carpet an impatient kick, as he sat on the floor at Bessie’s feet. Then, reaching up for her hand, he pulled it down and laid his cheek against it.
“You see,” he went on in the comically wise, old-mannish tone of explanation that his voice took on at times, “I believe I wish I’d had some brothers and sisters. Till I came here, I didn’t see so much of the boys, except at school, for mother didn’t like to have them round the house, and I guess, being the only one, I did get sort of cranky, and now I’m here, even, I don’t get over it.”
There was silence for a few moments, and then Fred continued confidentially,—
“Do you know. Miss Bessie, I don’t think my father and mother care for me just the same way Rob’s and Ted’s do for them.”
“Why, Fred!” said Bess, with a start of surprise. “What can have given you such an idea?”
“Well, lots of things; their going off and leaving me—but I’m awfully glad they did
