"If you could come and see us once in a while," said Hal softly. "We would not so much mind not going there"—
"I'd run away and visit her," announced daring Charlie. "I'd hide about in the woods until I saw her some day, and then"—
"They'd set the dog on you."
"Hum! As if I was afraid of a dog, Joe Kenneth! I'd snap my fingers in his face, and ask him what he had for breakfast. Then I'd come back home and tell you all about it."
"The breakfast, or the dog?"
"Joseph, I am afraid you are getting in your dotage," said Charlie with a shake of the head. "But, if I started to, I know I'd find Florence."
"It is rather cruel," said Joe sturdily. "I don't see why she should want to take you entirely away from us."
"We cannot look at it just as the lady does," said Hal's mild voice. "I suppose she thinks, if she does so much for Flossy, that she ought to have a good deal of love in return."
"She is ashamed of us because we are poor. But maybe if we managed to get along, and grow up nicely—she wouldn't feel so—so particular about it."