So Faith told her aunt that Louise could not read. That she had never before tasted fruit cake, and that she had no playmates, and had never had a present. “Why do you suppose she came to see me, Aunt Prissy?” she concluded.
“I cannot imagine. Unless it was because you are a stranger,” replied Aunt Prissy. “I have an idea that I can arrange with Mr. Trent so that he will be willing for me to make Louise a dress, and get for her the things she ought to have. For the shoemaker is no poorer than most of his neighbors. How would you like to teach Louise to read?”
“I’d like to! Oh, Aunt Prissy, tell me your plan!” responded Faith eagerly.
“Wait until I am sure it is a good plan, Faithie dear,” her aunt replied. “I’ll go down and see Mr. Trent to-morrow. I blame myself that I have not tried to be of use to that child.”
“May I go with you?” urged Faith.
“Why, yes. You can visit Louise while I talk with her father, since he asked you to come.”
“Has the Witch gone?” called Donald, running into the room. “Didn’t you know that all the children call the Trent girl a witch?” he asked his mother.
“No, Donald. But if they do they ought to be ashamed. She is a little girl without any mother to care for her. And now she is your cousin’s friend, and we hope to see her here often. And you must always be polite and kind to her,” replied Mrs. Scott.
Donald looked a little doubtful and puzzled.
“You ought to be more kind to her than to any other child, because she is lame,” said Faith.