don't want to. I'd give anything on
earth if I could go. I watch that line of children every morning and
afternoon of my life and wish and _wish_ and WISH I was in it. And
when the windows are opened and I hear the singing and reading, it
seems as if I just couldn't stand it."

"Oh, well," Rosie's tone was still scornful. "I don't believe, even
if you did go to school, that you'd ever do anything bad. You'd
never be anything but a fraid-cat and teacher's pet."

"I guess I'd be so glad to be there, I'd do anything the teacher
asked," Maida said dejectedly. "I do a lot of things that bother
Granny but I guess I never have been a very naughty girl. You can't
be very naughty with your leg all crooked under you." Maida's voice
had grown bitter. The children looked at her in amazement. "But
what's the use of talking to you two," she went on. "You could never
understand. I guess Dicky knows what I mean, though."

To their great surprise, Maida put her head down on the table and
cried.

For a moment the room was perfectly silent. The fire snapped and
Dicky went over to look at it. He stood with his back turned to the
other children but a suspicious snuffle came from his direction.
Arthur Duncan walked to the window and stood looking out. Rosie sat
still, her eyes downcast, her little white teeth biting her red
lips. Then suddenly she jumped to her feet, ran like a whirlwind to
Maida's side. She put her arms about the bowed figure.

"Oh, do excuse me, Maida," she begged. "I know I'm the worst girl in
the world. Everybody says so and I guess it's true. But I do love
you and I wouldn't have hurt your feelings for anything. I don't
believe you'd be a fraid-cat or teacher's pet--I truly don't. Please
excuse me."

Maida wiped her tears away. "Of course I'll excuse you! But just the
same, Rosie, I hope you won't hook jack any more for someday you'll
be sorry."

"I'm going to make some candy now," Rosie said, adroitly changing
the subject. "I brought some molasses and butter and everything I
need." She began to bustle about the stove. Soon they were all
laughing again.

Maida had never pulled candy before and she thought it the most
enchanting fun in the world. It was hard to keep at work, though,
when it was such a temptation to stop and eat it. But she persevered
and succeeded in pulling hers whiter than anybody's. She laughed and
talked so busily that, when she started to put on her things, all
traces of tears had disapp