When the pleasant party was about to break up, Dr. Pool stood up and asked the people to give him their attention for a few minutes.
So every one listened, and he told them the story of poor Mrs. Thompson and her brave struggle with poverty. “My little friends tell me,” said he, “that they have made ten dollars this afternoon.
“My kind little friends, Alice and Susy and Netty, have confided to me that they would like very much to take upon themselves the support of this family. You see, if we can just keep her mind easy and give her good food for a few weeks, she will get up and be as strong as ever, I think. But she is in a bad way now, and unless care is taken of her at the present time it will be too late.
“It has been suggested that we should have one of these delightful lemonade parties every Saturday for a few weeks, and so raise money enough to keep Mrs. Thompson until she is able to support herself.”
But suddenly a scream was heard, and every one ran in the direction of the sound, and what do you think they saw?
Mrs. Martin had come in the afternoon, but being obliged to go home early, she had left her two little girls, promising to send the nurse for them. The children consequently played around, enjoying themselves immensely, until looking up suddenly they saw their nurse approaching.
“There’s Elise,” whispered Nannie. “Oh, I don’t want to go home.”
“We’se better hide,” said Freddy.
“I don’t see any place to hide,” said Nannie.