Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/228

202 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