“Were you not some of the charitable boys who, out of their abundance, provided the old folks with a feast yesterday?”
Not one of those engaged in that enterprise answered, but Ernest Winters said:
“Yes, Father, these four big fellows were some of them and I think they are all a set of mean fellows.”
The four, and the President, too, looked surprised.
“Why do you think that, my child?”he asked.
“Because they didn't give any of us smaller boys a chance to give anything toward the feast.”
The four big “mean” fellows burst into a laugh.
“Never mind, Ernie, this time,” said Jack Beecham, “we had too much anyway. You shall have a chance for the next spread.”
The President smiled at Ernest's vehemence, and at the nature of his charge.
“On your way,” he said to Henning, “I want you to call at the Little Sisters and give them this package. I learned last night that although your dinner there was a great success yesterday, still there are many poor creatures, both men and women, who are in the infirmaries and could not attend. Here are a couple of boxes of cigars for these old men, and two boxes of candy for the old women.”