[Original]
ELFIE.
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MONG Toots' friends was a little girl whose name was Elfie. She lived just across the way, and her papa's garden joined that of Toots' mamma. There was a large gate, between the gardens, and the children went back and forth in the summer. They seldom quarrelled, and both children were glad to share their playthings. When Toots had the scarlet fever and was shut up in a room with his mamma and nurse, Elfie cried to have the fever too, so she could see him. It was summer time when Toots was sick, and sometimes when he was tired and restless he would moan so Elfie could hear him in the garden. One day when it was very warm and every one was tired and cross, Auntie bathed Elfie and put her on the bed, but she did not stay there long; she began to think of Toots—how warm he must be, how tired of the bed and that ugly dark room. Suddenly Elfie remembered that people used to bring her mamma pretty flowers when she was ill.