"Oh, no, Miss Bess! Please not!"
"Yes, Fred, I want you to escort me down. It is ever so long since you have heard the boys sing, and you have no idea how they have improved. We will go early, if you say so, and get all settled before many people get there, but I want you to go with me. The service is short and won't tire you, and it will be a good ending for our pleasant little visit together."
"Must I go, Miss Bessie? Well, I will," replied the boy with unwonted meekness. Then he suddenly added, "Oh, how I hate to go away to-morrow!"
"Has the visit been a success?" asked Bess, as they went into the parlor and she guided Fred to his favorite chair.
"Yes, I've had such a good time, and you've all been so kind to me! Time doesn't seem half so long, and I don't feel near so cross and tired here, as I do at home. I wish mother liked to do things with me half as well as you do." And Fred's face looked worn and troubled.
"She has so many other things to see to," said Bess soothingly, "and I shall be down often. But, Fred, are you cross every time you feel like it?"
Fred blushed.
"I'm afraid I am, Miss Bess. I am sorry afterwards, but, in the time of it, I don't think. You see, I can't do anything at all, and when things go wrong, it seems worse than ever, and the first I know, I've said it."
"Just like Fuzz," said Bess, as the dog raised his head from his basket, and gave a low, angry growl at the Dominie, who entered the room. "I know it is hard for you, Fred, when things go wrong, to be good-natured, but I want you to try as much as you can. I think you would be better off if you had some regular occupation, something to do with yourself."
"What is there?" asked the boy hopelessly.