“And you’re just good enough for us, any way,” said Bessie, with an affectionate kiss to her little friend; an example which was followed by Maggie.
“Why don’t you go in the water, and let your sister stay out?” said Belle to Johnny, rather reprovingly.
Johnny, who was a gentle-looking boy, colored a little, but answered quietly,—
“They say I ought not to wet my feet, and I want to keep well very much.”
“Yes,” said Sallie, who had just stepped out of the water, and was wringing out her dripping skirts: “it don’t hurt me to go in the water; but it’s not good for him.”
“Are you sick?” asked Bessie.
“No,” said Johnny, looking as if he thought the little girls were blaming him in their own minds for not taking the wetting himself, as indeed they were.
“He’s not just sick,” said Sallie; “but he’s not just strong, and we’re bound he shall go to school this winter, at least for one quarter. He’s an awful fellow for his books and learning.”
“Will one quarter make him too sick to go any more?” asked Bessie.
“Oh! I didn’t mean that,” said Sallie, sitting down on the rock, and spreading out her wet feet and dress to dry in the sun; “but, you see, we’re not sure we’ll put by enough money even to pay for one quarter. Shall I tell you about it?” she added, seeing her little customers looked interested.