George scrambled back into the bushes, and began to look about for a pole for Johnny. Miss Anne and the children were now opposite to them.
“Johnny,” said Miss Anne, “do you expect that you can catch fishes?”
Johnny did not answer, but stood motionless, gazing upon the strangers in silent wonder.
Miss Anne smiled, and walked on, and the children followed her. Presently George and Johnny came up behind them,—George walking fast, and Johnny trotting along by his side. When they had got before them a little way, they turned out of the road into a path which led down towards the stream, which here was at a little distance from the road. The path led in among trees and bushes; and so Miss Anne and the children soon lost sight of them entirely.
“George seems to be a strange sort of a boy,” said Miss Anne.
“Why?” asked Royal.
“Why, he cannot be contented to have a fishing-pole himself, unless little Johnny has one too.”
“Is that very strange?” asked Royal.
“I thought it was rather unusual,” said Miss Anne. “Boys generally want to get things for themselves; but I did not know that they were usually so desirous to have their brothers gratified too.”
“I do,” said Royal; “that is, I should, if I had a brother big enough.”