Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/63

Rh much for you; and then there are so many things you can do, as you get a little more used  to yourself. But this is enough sermon now, for here you are at home. Just take my arm.” And she led the boy into the house and up to  the fire.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen dined out that night, and Fred and Bess had the house to themselves. Fred was so roused by the little change, and Bess so pleased at her own success, that their  dinner was a merry one. Fred insisted that it should be served on a small table by their favorite fire, instead of in the imposing dining-room, and Mary, rejoiced at anything that could  bring Master Fred out of his languid indifference, was only too glad to make the change,  however much work it might involve for herself.

The boy was in fine spirits, in his delight at having Bess stay to dinner, all to himself, and  the two told stories and asked conundrums till  the room fairly rang with their mirth. At dinner, Bess sent Mary away and waited on the  boy herself, giving him the needed help in such  a matter-of-course fashion that he forgot to feel