Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/80

 lay on the shore, and people with white faces were pitching tents and building huts as if they meant to stay. Among them were some children.

"Of these, two particularly took my fancy, two little sisters, fair as lilies. One was almost a baby. When they sat at the door of the tent, I used to steal up unseen, and pat their cheeks with my hand. They did not know it was I; but they liked it.

"The men were busy in cutting trees for the houses. The women had to cook and wash and sew. There was hard work in plenty for all. No one had time to amuse the little ones, and the idea occurred to me of making them a garden."

"That was good of you," said Thekla, her heart warming to this Month who was so kind to little children.

"Ah!" replied May, coldly, "you think so?" Thekla felt snubbed, and she said no more.

"The place I chose," said May, resuming her