"Kind? Oh, Miss Flora, that I will!" said Hetty earnestly.
"But don't cry, Hetty. Why should you cry?"
"Well, miss, you see I've just said good-bye to my sister. But I won't cry," Hetty answered, with a choke in her voice. The sight of the child had touched her soft heart.
"Now, Hetty, before you take off your hat, please take Miss Lina to school. It is close by, and she knows the way. Make haste back, for Miss Flo is longing to be out in the sunshine."
"So you see, Flo," cried Lina, "after all your saying that Hetty is to be yours, I am to have her first." And Lina nodded her curly head at the little one.
"She belongs to me," Flo calmly replied. "But I will not be selfish. You can have her now."
Lina laughed, and ran off for her hat. All the way to school she chattered unceasingly, but Hetty had no idea what it was all about. She had left the child at her school, and was on her way back, when she met her brother Ned, who was on his way to the shop where he was errand boy.
"Hilloa, Hetty! Is this you?"
"I've been leaving Miss Lina at school. Oh, Ned, if you only saw Miss Flo! she's such a little darling."
"I'm glad I met you. Look here; I'm going to give you this sixpence. I can do without it, and I find that mother gave you no money. It's not respectable not to have a penny in your pocket. Here; don't buy sweeties with it."