Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/63

 England last year. I didn't finish because something came along and set me crying, but half is just as bad as the whole. I couldn't tell that again. Don't look so disappointed, though! I've got one for you; and, though it isn't one of my best, I dare say you '11 like it well enough. It's about a doll."

"A doll! Pshaw!" said Max, impolitely.

"Why, what a rude boy you are!" cried April, beginning to sob. "I declare, I ne—never was t—treated so before."

"Max!" exclaimed Thekla, "how could you? You've hurt her feelings. Don't cry any more, dear," she went on, for somehow Thekla felt older and bigger than this fascinating little maiden who laughed and cried by turns,—"he didn't mean to. He is a real kind boy, only sometimes he speaks before he thinks. And I like dolls—oh, so much!"

"Do you?" said April, brightening. "Then it's all right. As for you," she added, turning sharply round on Max, "you can go out and sit on the steps, if you don't want to hear it."