"I wish, then, I had left you there," rejoined Chester. "But I thought you would enjoy the company, and made you come in."
"I couldn't play with the rest," said the unhappy girl.
"Why not? You could, if you had only thought so."
Hepsy smiled, with touching sadness.
"Who would have kissed me? I must have such a hideous face! Who could?"
She cried again; and Chester, feeling deeply pained by her sufferings, kissed her cheek.
"I could; and I have kissed you hundreds of times, as you know; and I hope to as many more. There are worse faces than yours to kiss here to-night."
"Oh, you are always so good—so good!" murmured Hepsy, with gushing tears.
"Now, tell me what has occurred to make you feel bad," insisted her cousin, very kindly.
The poor girl required much urging, but at length she confessed.