Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/126

110 raised it with one swing of his strong arms, and tossed it down into the opening before him;  only stopping occasionally to wipe his forehead  on his grimy sleeve. Fred felt to-day that he would give up all his comfortable home, just to  change places with that man for one little hour,  and be able to see and work.

“Lost in ‘maiden meditation,’ Fred?” asked Bessie’s voice at his side.

The boy sprang up with a glad cry.

“Oh, Miss Bess I I didn’t hear you come in. How glad I am you are here!”

“I mustn’t stay but a moment,” said Bess, as she sat down on a mussy pile of pillows and  afghan. “How is your mother?”

“She’s well; but she’s awfully busy,” replied Fred, leaning on the back of a chair, with his chin in his hands. “I don’t know just what is up, but I haven’t seen her since breakfast—at least, she hasn’t been here,” he added  hastily, for he was gradually giving up the old-time expression.

“I can tell you, if you wish to know,” said Bess quietly. “She is going to Europe next Wednesday with your father.”