Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/216

192 on the sofa, apparently asleep, but Bess knew better than that.

“Come, Fred,” she said seriously, as she bent over him, “I want you to come into the parlor  now. Mr. Washburn and Mr. Muir have asked to see you. I am sorry my boy should have forgotten himself and been so rude to guests.”

“Oh, Miss Bessie,” said Fred penitently, for he read from Bessie’s tone that she was really  displeased, “we truly didn’t mean any harm,  only they stayed so long that we thought perhaps they’d forgotten the time, and would  hurry a little if they knew it, so as to give us a  chance to have some fun. I’m so sorry!”

“I don’t think you did mean to be quite so ungentlemanly,” answered Bess quietly. “But we will talk it over by and by. Now come with me.”

“Oh, no! Must I?” And the child drew back.

“Yes, Fred.”

Frank Muir glanced up as they entered the parlor. He had been interested in his friend’s account of the child, and was curious to see the  imp who had caused so much embarrassment