"Take care, my child," said Mr. Parlin, laughing; "do not crush the bride. Everybody has been coming up to salute her, and you must understand that she does you a great honor to go to you and beg a kiss."
"It is just like you, though, mamma. You are so good to me, and so is everybody! No matter how naughty I am, and spoil weddings, they don't say, 'You hateful thing!'"
"Would it make you a better child, do you think, Dotty, to be scolded when you do wrong?"
"Why, no, indeed, mamma. It's all that makes me not be the wickedest girl in this city, is 'cause you are so good to me; I know it is."
Mrs. Parlin kissed the little mouth that said these sweet words.
"And now that I am blind, mamma, you are so kind, I s'pose you'll feed me with a spoon."
"You will surely be taken care of, dear, as long as your eyes are in this state."
"But shan't I be always blind?"
"No, indeed, child; you will be quite well in a day or two."
"O, I'm so glad, mamma. I was thinking I shouldn't ever go to school, and should have to be sent to the 'Sylum."