"What did he say?"
"Not a word at first. He grew crimson and glared at her, but was too angry to answer. May dried her eyes quickly, and said, 'Oh, he didn't mean to be unkind!' 'What did he mean then?' Josephine asked indignantly; 'it was cowardly of him to make you cry!' At that Donald found his voice. 'I'm not a coward,' he said, 'and I dare you to say it!' 'I dare say anything that's true,' Josephine replied, 'and I shouldn't see any one bully another without interfering, I hope!'
"I thought I ought to interfere then; so I told them not to wrangle, and no more was said. But I am sure Donald has not forgiven Josephine for standing up for his sister, and I believe May is secretly vexed with her for having spoken to Donald as she did."
There was a brief silence, then the young governess continued—
"Josephine is teaching May to knit. They have suggested that on wet afternoons when we cannot go for walks we should work for the soldiers, and I have agreed to the plan. Miss Basset has offered to supply us with whatever materials we want. Yesterday, by the way, she and Donald drove into the town and paid a visit to the wounded at the hospital."
"She did not go empty-handed, I expect?"
"Oh, no! She took a large basket filled with dainties; and after her visit she went and bought some good warm blankets and had them sent to the hospital—the matron had said they were wanted."
"How nice it must be to be well off so as to be able to make gifts like that!" exclaimed Mrs. Cummings. "When I read in the newspapers all our poor soldiers have gone through I long to be in the position to do something for them. But you and I have no money to spend, Margaret."
"Very little, anyway," her daughter replied.
"I looked through my wardrobe to-day to see if there was anything I could spare for the Belgians," Mrs. Cummings said, sighing, "but really, most of my dresses are threadbare."