Miss Masters, I hope you remember to give daily thanks that you haven't any small brothers." "I do devoutly give thanks that I haven't any sisters," said Bell, with an unaffectionate glance toward Gerald.

"I should hate them." And so the desultory talk rambled on, the little group growing larger by degrees as the approaching luncheon hour brought back the stragglers, and with them Olly, trotting contentedly along, clinging to Halloway's hand, meek as any lamb.
"What were you doing when you cried out so a little while ago ?" asked Gerald, going up to the child.
Olly looked at her with instant defiance in his eyes.

"I hurt my foot." "You know perfectly well you can't deceive me, Olly.

Tell me the truth.
What mischief were you at ?" "I tell you I hurt my foot, and it hurt like mischief, and that's all the mischief there was.

I wish it had been _your_ foot, and I wouldn't have cried a bit." Halloway was turning aside, but Gerald appealed to him.