Page:Saxe Holm's Stories, Series Two.djvu/175

Rh friends the whole story of little Alice, and of out desire to bring her to live with us at the parsonage for the winter. Mrs. Allen's eyes glistened at the thought.

"Husband," she said, slowly, "I feel myself much drawn toward this little girl. Does thee not think it is a clear call that this young man's heart is so set upon bringing her to live under our roof?" "Dorothy, thee knows that it shall be as thee likes," said Parson Allen, his eyes resting as lovers eyes rest, on the smooth cheeks, whose beautiful pink was deeping a little in her eager interest; "but we must consider whether James's guardian will think we have done wisely in permitting him to undertake the charge of a child. My mind misgives me that most people would not approve of his taking this burden upon him."

"Benjamin Curtis is not of the world's people at heart," said Mistress Dorothy, gently. "He cannot have changed in that, I am persuaded, though it is thirty-five years since I saw him. If, as James says, he has these thousands of dollars each year to spend, Benjamin Curtis will joy to see him spending it on another rather than himself."

"That he will," burst in Jim. "He 's the most generous old boy in the world. Why, he goes looking like a beggar himself half the time, he gives away so much of his own money; and he 's never so pleased with me as when I go and tell him that I 've just given away my whole quarter's allowance and am dead broke."