"I'd buy some clothes for Bert first if I was in his place. Everything the boy has seems to have been bought for his little brother."
"Did you ever read 'Nicholas Nickleby,' Veronica?"
"Yes, I have." The younger girl looked around brightly. "I know who you're thinking of—Smike. I've thought of Smike ever since they came."
Diana received her look with a smile. One touch of nature made them kin for the moment, and Diana, all unconscious of her companion's mental reservations, did not know that at this moment she was nearer than she had ever been to being forgiven for her various perfections.
"All my childhood," said Diana, "I used to wish I could have done something for Smike."
"I've wished that, too," said Veronica.
"Now we have an opportunity," returned Diana. "You are young and sportive and you made a good beginning."
"Oh, I did—not," returned Veronica. "You might as well try to sport with a hearse. Everything you say to him he turns his eyes on you all darkened up with those lashes, regular mourning, and you don't know where to look, yourself, nor what to say. Yes, I did want to help Smike, but so long as the law won't let us string Mr. Gayne up somewhere, lots of times I wish they'd gone to some other island. Isn't it a pity he hasn't got spunk enough to run away? Even Smike ran away."
"I am glad this boy is not inclined to do that," returned Diana, "for I feel that he has friends here and that something good should come of his summer."