Page:At the Door (1905).pdf/23

 right in plain sight and bothered me most. You understand, don't you?" asked the boy, anxiously.

"Yes," said Marjorie, "certainly it's natural to attend first to the things that bother us most and look the worst to us: and as long as the other matters are being taken care of as fast as possible, I don't see what more you can do."

The boy looked relieved, and Marjorie sat for a long time, watching his companions pass in and out; and half envying him the pleasure of the exchange of words and smiles, and also the authority with which he confidently refused admission to those whom he did not wish should enter. Presently she turned to him, coaxingly; "Please, won't you let me play door keeper for a little while," she asked.

"Oh, no!" exclaimed the boy, "I couldn't do that, not possibly! We must stand porter for ourselves; no one else can do it for us."

"But I want to so much," pleaded Marjorie. "I'm certain that I could do it right. I've watched you so long that I know the most of your companions by sight, now. You could