Heretofore, some inward monitor of pride had closed his lips about himself whenever he had been with her, but, since the Thanksgiving Day that had made them such firm friends, he had wished every hour that he could tell her of his troubles.

He felt that she was the only person in the world who took any interest in him.

Although she was only three years older than himself, she had that motherly little way with her that eldest daughters are apt to acquire when there is a whole brood of little brothers and sisters constantly claiming attention.
So when Joyce asked again, "What's the matter, Jules ?" with so much anxious sympathy in her face and voice, the child found himself blurting out the truth.
"Brossard beat me again last night," he exclaimed.

Then, in response to her indignant exclamation, he poured out the whole story of his ill-treatment.

"See here!" he cried, in conclusion, unbuttoning his blouse and baring his thin little shoulders.