“Didn’t you know them before?”
“No, hardly at all.”
“How funny! If I had brothers I should always want to know all their friends.”
Violet was a merry little maiden, not at all given to grave moods, or over-much meditation. Her parents were poor, and she had never had many toys or books, or even as many friends as she would have liked. There were very few people living near, and there was no carriage to take her to other people’s houses; so the little girl had been dependent upon her own happy temper and limited resources for most of the enjoyment of life.
Such a tea-party as the one in which she had just been joining was an immense treat to her. She could not understand how it was that Winifred had not cared before to cultivate the acquaintance of such nice boys.
“I’m afraid it was because I was selfish,” said Winifred gravely.
“You selfish!” cried Violet, opening her eyes wide; “Oh, Winnie, I’m sure you’re not.”
“I’m afraid I have been, Vi; I wish I hadn’t; but I don’t think I knew it before. I didn’t see things that I see now.”
“Why do you see them now?” asked Violet with interest; but Winifred did not answer just at once, and the child, too excited to sit down, strayed to the window and looked out.
“What a lot of swallows!”