only too glad to
accompany us. A visit to cousin Serena was always a treat to them.

"And we will give her the peanuts we bought; she likes peanuts," said
Daisy, who, as well as Allie, had maintained a silence, quite unusual
with them, during several minutes.

"But we'd like her and all our people to understand," said Allie,
loftily, "that we buy peanuts because of Jim, and not at all because of
Matty. She's the most unchristianest child we ever saw; and I think her
soul is hunchback, too, just as well as herself."

I had seen that Matty had repelled the advances of the children, who
had wished to show her their dolls, and to be kind to her; and I
endeavored to soothe them, and excuse her, by telling them how much she
had to suffer, and how her disposition might have been spoiled by all
that she had undergone.

But my words made no impression; the children were not to be mollified.
Allie still wore an air of outraged and offended dignity; and Daisy not
only maintained that solemn silence, but she looked grieved and hurt.
Our little ones were not accustomed to be snubbed, and took it hard
when such an experience did befall them; but there was a preternatural
gravity about them now, which excited my wonder.

"Why, Daisy," exclaimed Bessie, suddenly, "what is the matter with your
cheek? It is all red and scratched. What have you been doing to
yourself?"

"She didn't do it to herself," said Allie, indignantly, and before
Daisy could speak. "We didn't want to tell tales; but, sister Amy and
cousin Bessie, I think you are not very _noticeable_, not to see
Daisy's cheek before this. We are very much disappointed in you."

We apologized humbly, saying that Daisy's broad felt hat had prevented
us from seeing the state of her cheek before this, and inquired more
minutely into the cause thereof.

With some reluctance the children told, that, while Bessie and I had
been making our purchases of flowers, they had, after buying their
peanuts, tried to make themselves agreeable to Matty; but she had
proved far from responsive, and would not even look at the beautiful
dolls which they proffered for her admiration. Believing that shyness
alone was the cause of this ungraciousness, and filled with pity for
her condition, Daisy had at last raised Matty's arm and placed her doll
within it, when the cripple suddenly turned upon her, and drew the
nails of the disengaged hand viciously down poor little Daisy's soft
cheek, while, wit