Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/348

312 if it isn’t the very thing we choose, or give up some little frolic we have been anticipating, because, by doing that, we can make some one  else happy, all these will be so many battles  won, and the winning them will give us the  crown. What do you think of our army?”

“It’s a first-rate one,” said Bert heartily, while Teddy pensively added,—

“I’m afraid I shall have to spend all my days fighting slang.”

Bessie laughed outright.

“No, Ted; for if you go on improving as fast as you have done in the last six months, you will soon be free to fight another enemy than that one.”

“I wonder what mine is?” said Phil, swinging his heels thoughtfully.

“Covetousness,” responded Ted promptly. “It’s only two days since I heard you wishing you had Miss Bessie’s good temper.”

“Poor Phil!” said Bess, reaching up to pat the brown head. “You’d much better wish for something more than that.”

“I wonder if we shall all be together here a year from now,” said Rob thoughtfully.