“Well,” said Belle rather hurt, “my papa is very such too, and I’d rafer have him than any papa.”
“Oh, yes!” said Maggie quickly, seeing that she had made a mistake, and hastening to heal the wound she had unintentionally given; “to be sure you would, and I didn’t mean the least discompliment to your papa, Belle; but you know he has had a great deal of trouble, and so has not had time to teach you so much as our papa and mamma have taught us.”
“Yes, I know it,” said Belle, quite satisfied with this apology; “but tell me now, Bessie, I can’t think what you mean.”
“Water-lily boy,” said Bessie, willing to give Belle the credit of thinking out the matter for herself.
Belle looked puzzled.
“Lily boy, Johnny, school,” said Bessie, helping her along.
“Oh!” said Belle, as Bessie’s meaning came to her, “do you mean I could ask papa to give the money for Johnny to go to school next winter?”
“Yes, dear,” said Bessie; “and it’s partly your mamma’s present it would seem as if you and she were doing good together, and as if the help for Johnny came from heaven.”
“Bessie! oh, you precious love!” burst forth Maggie. “You need never say another word about my having good ideas. If I have ideas about compositions and things, you have a great deal better ones about living. I never did see such a child as you are,—no, never; and I hope I never will: one of such a kind as you are is quite enough for me;” and Maggie, after gazing at her sister with an air of the most intense pride and satisfaction, threw her arms about her neck and kissed her. “Don’t you think that is lovely, Belle?” she said; “and don’t you want to do it?”