Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/38

 Josephine recognized from the lady's tone that she had given offence, though didn't know why. Now, it was another of her wise mother's rules that her little daughter should punish herself when any punishment was needed. Opinions didn't always agree upon the subject, yet, as a rule, the conscientious child could be trusted to deal with her own faults more sternly than anybody else would do. She realized that here was a case in point, and, though the steak and potatoes which Red Kimono ordered for herself looked very tempting, asked only for oatmeal and milk, "without any sugar, if you please, boy."

The lady frowned inquiringly.

"Are you still ill, Josephine?"

"No, Mrs. Kimono."

"Aren't you hungry?"

"Dreadful." Indeed, the hunger was evident enough.

"Then why don't you take some heartier food? If you're bashful—Yet you're certainly not that. If you're hungry, child, for goodness sake eat."