Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/217

Rh and amusement for them all. But when he caught sight of the strong, finely formed little  figure, the head set so proudly on his shoulders,  the refined, sensitive face that showed so plainly every thought and feeling, and the great, pleading brown eyes, as the boy came shyly into the  room, his own eyes grew strangely misty, and  his face was very tender and pitiful as he  went forward, saying heartily,—

“So this is the small friend that has been giving us a good laugh.” And, drawing the child to the sofa, he sat down by his side.

“I didn’t mean to be rude,” said Fred slowly. “It sounded like such fun. Please excuse us.”

“Excuse you,” said Mr. Muir, laughing, though he watched the boy closely, attracted by  his grace of manner and gentle face; “it doesn’t  need to be excused, for we enjoyed it as much  as you did; and then I have a vivid recollection  of some of my own performances in that line,  that makes me appreciate yours all the more. And so your friend went home, did he? I should have liked to see him, for I enjoyed his  singing last night.”