"Johnny," said Miss Walton, "it is manly to yield to the least and weakest, especially if she be a little woman."
The boy thought a moment, and then with an amusing assumption of dignity said, "You may read Susie's story first, aunty."
"Susie, promise Johnny that his story shall be read first next time;" which Susie promptly did with a touch of the womanly grace which accompanies favors bestowed after the feminine will has triumphed.
"Now, little miniature man and woman, listen!" and their round eyes were ready for the world of wonders.
And this child of nature was at the same time showing Gregory a world as new and strange—a world that he had caught glimpses of when a boy, but since had lost hopelessly. She carried the children away into fairy-land. She suggested to him a life in which simplicity, truth, and genuine goodness might bring peace and hope to the heart.
"Well, what do you think of the fairy story?" she asked after she had finished and the children had drawn sighs of intense relief at the happy denouement, in which the ugly ogre was slain and the prince and princess were married:
"I did not hear it," he said.
"That's complimentary. But you appeared listening very closely."
"You have heard of people reading a different meaning between the lines, and I suppose one can listen to a different meaning."
"And what could you find between the lines of this fairy tale?" she asked with interest.