Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/58

48 “What is it?” asked the boy suspiciously.

“The coupé is all ready at the door, and I have brought inyour coat and hat. It is such a lovely day, I wantyou to come for a drive. Will you?”

“No, I won’t,” said the boy, turning his face away from her, and putting his hand over his  eyes.

“Listen, Fred,” said Bess firmly; “I know just how you feel about this, but is it quite  right to give up to it? You have all your life before you, and you can’t lie on this sofa all  your days. I have waited until you were stronger, hoping you would feel like starting  out; but the longer you are here, the harder it  will be! You will have to go sometime; why not to-day?”

“What’s the use ?” asked the boy sadly. “I sha’n’t get any good of going. I don’t see why I’m not as well off here.”

“It is a beautiful day after the snow, and the air is so fresh it will do you good. You need some kind of a change. We will only go a little way, if you say so. Come, Fred.” And she waited.