It is so pleasant to be praised after you've been trying hard." She might well say that, for she got very little herself, and her trials had been many, her efforts not always successful, and her reward seemed a long way off.

Poor Boo could have sympathized with her, for he had suffered much persecution from his small schoolmates when he appeared with large gray patches on the little brown trousers, where he had worn them out coasting down those too fascinating steps.

As he could not see the patches himself, he fancied them invisible, and came home much afflicted by the jeers of his friends.

Then Molly tried to make him a new pair out of a sack of her own; but she cut both sides for the same leg, so one was wrong side out.

Fondly hoping no one would observe it, she sewed bright buttons wherever they could be put, and sent confiding Boo away in a pair of blue trousers, which were absurdly hunchy behind and buttony before.