Neither of the children spoke till they reached the barn, when John came to the side of the cart and lifted them down.
"Well, you are just two of the funniest, forgivingest little things," he said, as he put Bessie on her feet.
Bessie deigned no answer; but with an air of great displeasure turned away, and stood at a little distance with Maggie, watching the men pitch the sheaves up into the loft.
"Are you going back with me?" asked John, when he was ready to start for the harvest-field again.
"No," Bessie answered, rather shortly.
"Why, you're not offended with me, are you?" said John, "and all along of that ragamuffin up there."
"We're displeased with you," said Bessie. "It's right to be displeased with people when you tell them what is right, and they don't do it; but if you're going to repent, we'll forgive you."
John answered with another "ha-ha."
"Well, no," he said; "I don't think I'm ready for repentance in that line yet. I hope I'll never do any thing worse than refusing to take care of a sick beggar."