or go
crazy, so she took it out on you. At times, those first ten years, if I
had talked to you, and you had repeated anything to her, she might have
struck you too hard. She was not master of herself. You must be patient
with her, Elnora. God only knows what she has gone through, but I think
she is a little better, lately."

"So do I," said Elnora. "She seems more interested in my clothes, and
she fixes me such delicious lunches that the girls bring fine candies
and cake and beg to trade. I gave half my lunch for a box of candy one
day, brought it home to her, and told her. Since, she has wanted me to
carry a market basket and treat the crowd every day, she was so pleased.
Life has been too monotonous for her. I think she enjoys even the little
change made by my going and coming. She sits up half the night to read
the library books I bring, but she is so stubborn she won't even admit
that she touches them. Tell me more about my father."

"Wait until I see if I can find the violin."

So Elnora went home in suspense, and that night she added to her
prayers: "Dear Lord, be merciful to my father, and oh, do help Aunt
Margaret to get his violin."

Wesley and Billy came in to supper tired and hungry. Billy ate heartily,
but his eyes often rested on a plate of tempting cookies, and when
Wesley offered them to the boy he reached for one. Margaret was
compelled to explain that cookies were forbidden that night.

"What!" said Wesley. "Wrong words been coming again. Oh Billy, I do wish
you could remember! I can't sit and eat cookies before a little boy
who has none. I'll have to put mine back, too." Billy's face twisted in
despair.

"Aw go on!" he said gruffly, but his chin was jumping, for Wesley was
his idol.

"Can't do it," said Wesley. "It would choke me."

Billy turned to Margaret. "You make him," he appealed.

"He can't, Billy," said Margaret. "I know how he feels. You see, I can't
myself."

Then Billy slid from his chair, ran to the couch, buried his face in
the pillow and cried heart-brokenly. Wesley hurried to the barn, and
Margaret to the kitchen. When the dishes were washed Billy slipped from
the back door.

Wesley piling hay into the mangers heard a sound behind him and
inquired, "That you, Billy?"

"Yes," answered Billy, "and it's all so dark you can't see me now, isn't
it?"

"Well, mighty near," answered Wesley.

"Then you stoop down and open your mouth."

Sinton had shared bites of apple and nu