e not to fidget in his seat!

Well, what I am going to tell is almost unbelievable. But when I came
in, there in the little room that had been my father's office--which he
had placed at the right hand of the entrance door, and as far away from
the kitchen as possible, on account of Grace Rigley and her like--sat
Elsie.

She was crying, yes, fit to break her heart. She had her hat on, too,
and the little bag of things she had fetched over from Nance Edgar's
was at her feet. I couldn't think what in the mischief had happened.
All was as peaceful as Sunday afternoon when I went out, and now--this!

Well, I went up to Elsie and wanted to take her in my arms to comfort
her, the way that brothers--except our kind--never dream of doing. But
she rose and pushed me off, sobbing harder all the time, and the tears
simply rolling down. I never knew before that a girl had such a water
supply behind her eyes. Elsie had just fair cisterns full. She didn't
cry often, that's a fact; but when she did--well, Brom Water rose, and
they put it in the _Border Advertiser_ along with the extraordinary
duck's egg and Major Finn's big gooseberry.

But though I can make fun now, you take my word for it, it was no fun
then.

"Elsie, Elsie," I said, "tell me what is the matter?"

But she only sobbed the more, and searched deep into her pocket for a
handkerchief to wipe her eyes. But all in vain. I suppose she had
packed her own. I offered her mine, but as I had used it some time for
a penwiper, for easing up the lids of tar barrels, for putting under my
knee when setting rat traps, and getting game out afterwards, perhaps
it was as well she did not accept.

But I put it to you, if she need have thrown it on the office carpet
and stamped on it. But I was of a forgiving nature. I only said,
"Dear sister, tell me--do tell me--all about it?"

And I tried to remember some poetry; but that was jolly difficult
without the book. Besides, you can't remember the changes you have
made to suit the brother and sister business, and it won't run smooth a
bit.

However, Elsie saved me trouble by saying: "None of that, if you
please, Mr. Joseph Yarrow! Here are your poems. They may come in
handy for the young ladies who are coming to look after your mother. I
have heard all about it--Miss Harriet Caw and Miss Constantia. You can
be their brother as much as ever you like, and use all the poems over
again for all I care!"

And with that s