ed against her and tried hard to
repress the shivers of pain that ran through her frame, "Penelope gets
worse and worse. Only that I hate telling tales out of school, I should
ask Aunt Sophia to send her back to the nursery for at least another
year. But what is it, Paulie dear? You look quite ill."

"I feel rather bad. I have hurt my arm. You must not ask me how, Renny.
You must trust me. Oh dear! I must tell you what has happened, for you
will have to help me. Oh, Renny, I am in such pain!"

Poor Pauline burst into a torrent of tears. Where was her happiness of an
hour ago? Where were her rapturous thoughts of riding Peas-blossom
through the Forest? Her arm hurt her terribly; she knew that Penelope was
quite capable of making mischief, she was terrified about the thimble.
Altogether her brief interval of sunshine was completely blotted out.

Verena, for her years, was a wonderfully wise girl. She had since her
mother's death been more or less a little mother to the younger children.
It is true, she had looked after them in a somewhat rough-and-ready
style; but nevertheless she was a sympathetic and affectionate girl, and
they all clung to her. Now it seemed only natural that Pauline should
lean on her and confide her troubles to her. Accordingly Verena led her
sister to a rustic seat and said:

"Sit down near me and tell me everything."

"It is this," said Pauline. "I have burned my arm badly, and Aunt Sophia
must not know."

"You have burnt your arm? How?"

"I would rather not tell."

"But why should you conceal it, Paulie?"

"I'd rather conceal it; please don't ask me. All I want you to do is to
ask me no questions, but to help me to get my arm well; the pain is
almost past bearing. But, Renny, whatever happens, Aunt Sophia must not
know."

"You are fearfully mysterious," said Verena, who looked much alarmed.
"You used not to be like this, Paulie. You were always very open, and you
and I shared every thought Well, come into the house. Of course, whatever
happens, I will help you; but I think you ought to tell me the whole
truth."

"I can't, so there! If you are to be a real, real sister to me, you will
help me without asking questions."

The girls entered the house and ran up to Pauline's bedroom. There the
injured arm was exposed to view, and Verena was shocked to see the extent
of the burn.

"You ought to see a doctor. This is very wrong," she said.

She made Pauline lie down, and dressed her arm