Starr was silenced: he had not another word to say.
When Bessie reached her playfellows, the fire was burning famously; but they had waited to husk the corn till she should come to have her share in that pleasure.
"But where is your banana?" asked Maggie, when her sister divided the Colonel's gift.
"It is gone," answered Bessie.
"Oh!" said Maggie, "why, didn't you wait to eat it with the rest of us? But never mind, you shall have half of mine."
"Let's husk the corn now," said Harry; "we'll have the bananas by and by."
The ears were soon stripped of their green dress and silken tassels, and laid round the fire to roast. Then Bessie told Maggie she wanted to tell her a secret, and drew her a little aside from the others.
"Maggie," she said, "I did not eat my banana; I gave it away."
"Did you?" said Maggie. "That was very good of you, 'cause you're so fond of them. Who did you give it to?"