"If we could persuade them that we felt kindly to them, they might listen to us," said Mrs. Rush; "at least, we could try."
"But I don't think I do feel kindly to them," said Maggie, "and even if I did, I do not see how we could find the chance to show it."
"I do not say that you will, only that you may find it," said Mrs. Rush; "but if you have a chance and do not take it, it will be a jewel by the way which you will not stoop to pick up that you may carry it to your Father in Heaven."
"And Benito would not have passed it by," said Maggie softly. "We will try to be like him, will we not, Bessie?"
When the proper time came, the Colonel was called upon and came down among the children. His story proved even more interesting than usual; and all, from Mrs. Rush down to Bessie, were so taken up with it, that they were not thinking of Frankie, who for some time sat quiet between his little sisters, busy with the Colonel's pencil-case and a piece of paper, on which he was making scrawls which he called "pollywods." He had seen some pollywogs, or young frogs, in the brook the day before, and his mind had been quite full of them ever since; and he was very anxious to catch one, and have it for his own.
Suddenly all were astonished by a loud sob and a half angry, half frightened "stop dat" from the little boy; and looking at him, they saw him with flushed cheeks, quivering lips, and eyes swimming in tears, gazing up at the bushes which overhung the rocks.
"What is it, dear?" asked Mrs. Rush; and as she spoke Maggie and Bessie both caught sight of a hideous face which thrust itself with a threatening look from among the leaves.
"Somebody bad and ugly, he mates faces at me," said Frankie, with another sob.
"It's Lem; I know it is," said Maggie; "and he is making such horrid faces."