Ivy's big brown eyes looked into his, wonderingly.
"Why-because is it mine?" she asked.
"Why—because I give it to you. It's yours, and you may keep it."
Ivy hugged the wet boat to her chest, not improving the blue frock. "I love it," she said. "Thank you, kind boy."
Chris looked immensely gratified.
Then the same play was acted over again. Miss Anne kept running alongside of the children, for she did not feel sure how far she might trust Chris to be careful; yet she would not stop him. It was so nice to see the little one's look of delight; and she seemed to turn so prettily to Chris, almost more than she had yet been disposed to turn to anyone except Aunt Anne herself.
"Chris likes Ivy," Hecla murmured, with a small sigh.
Miss Anne understood.
"Yes; and I think he is sorry for her, Hecla. That is nice of Chris. Boys don't always trouble themselves to be kind to little girls who are in trouble. I'm glad Chris does."
Hecla smiled and felt comforted. She loved to hear Chris praised.