"But I go 'most everywhere with Johnny," replied Sue, looking rather hurt.
"But Johnny is different from other boys," said Felix.
As Johnny had gone to ask his mother about going with Felix, he did not hear this remark. "But Belle Miner goes with her brother Alec, and Terry Scott goes with her brother Dick, and we all go together; and ever so many boys and girls I know of, that are not brothers and sisters, play together, and have real good times. I like to play with boys very much, when they are not too rough and hateful; and I can run as fast, and play as well, as any of them, at most things."
Felix laughed loud and long.
"But you can't go fishing," said he, "nor ride a bicycle."
"I could ride a tricycle," said Sue, "if I had one; and if I had one to ride, I could go fishing."
Johnny came back, saying his mother would like to see Felix in the sitting-room. So they all went down to hear what she had to say.
"We are not in the habit of allowing our children to go out in the evening, unless by especial invitation, or with us, or by our advice or consent: and of course, Felix, since we are to do by you just as we do by our own children, we cannot allow you any more liberty than they have; it would not be right."
"But I don't see what harm there could be in my just going a little way, to ask a boy a question."
"We shall not expect you to see the reasons for all our rules, any more than we expect Johnny and Sue to see them, and we cannot take time and pains to explain them to you; for very likely you would not understand them any better then, since many of them can only be understood by grown persons," replied Mrs. Le Bras mildly, continuing her sewing, and not seeming to pay very much attention to Felix, who was looking decidedly cross.