"Are you, Major?" I questioned, sorrowfully, for a week had seven days in it, and even a day was a long, long time. No wonder that my eyes were full of tears.
"There, there," he said. "Bear it like a woman."
I was not a woman, but sometimes the major used to forget. I thought that it was because I looked so tall when I stood on my gate.
He put out his kind old hand and smoothed my hair.
"What shall I bring you from the city?" he asked. "A new doll? What would you like best of all, Rhoda?"
I considered the question. There were so many things that the major might bring from the city. There were little doll-babies, or picture-books, or cups and saucers, or hooples with bells. Then I had an inspiration. I leaned forward in a glow of excitement.
"I should like—Oh, Major! Will you really give it to me? I should like the littlest watch in the world. With a star! With a star, just like yours!"
"You shall have it," he answered, promptly, as if there was nothing unusual in such a grand request. "Now, remember, if all goes well, I'll be at the gate a week from to-day. And I'll have that watch right here in my pocket."
"And I'll bring flowers!" I cried, joyfully. "All the flowers that you love best, Major."