Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/48

40 dinner-table, the young lady, after silently pondering some question in her own mind, suddenly announced with considerable energy,—

“I think Mrs. Allen is the most selfish woman I ever saw!”

Mrs. Carter, in her surprise at the outburst, dropped the biscuit that she was feeding to Fuzz, under cover of the tablecloth; for it was the rule of the family, agreed to by each, and broken by all, that Fuzz should not be fed at meal-times. The biscuit was at once appropriated by the dog, who trotted off to a corner with it in his mouth, and there proceeded to devour it, with sundry growls at the shaggy collie who gazed with longing eyes on the tempting morsel.

“Bess, my daughter,” began Mrs. Carter, “don’t be too severe. She may not be very strong.”

“Strong, mother! How much strength does it take to entertain one’s son who is ill? She’d better give up a few dinners and theatres. The idea of her leaving Fred alone all the afternoon. Rob, the next time you come up here, when you are tired and cross and headache-y, I am going to take a nap, so there!”