Page:Her Benny - Silas K Hocking (Warne, 1890).djvu/45

Rh pressed her face to his bosom. And then the fountain of the child's tears was broken up, and she wept as though her heart would break. Great sobs shook her little frame, and broke the silence of the dreary night.

Benny silently kissed away the tears, and tried to comfort the little breaking heart. After awhile she grew calm, and Benny grew resolute.



"I's not going to stand this no longer," he said.

"What will you do, Benny?" she asked.

"Do? Well, I dunno, yet; "but I's bound to do some'at, an' I will too."

After awhile he spoke again. "I say, Nell, ain't yer hungry? for I is. I believe I could eat a gravestun."

"I was hungry afore faather beat me, but I doesna feel it now," was the reply.