While Dotty was speaking, Johnny came up to the sofa, and, taking her hand, said, in a tone of real sorrow,—
"Look here, Dotty; I was a naughty boy; will you forgive me?"
As Johnny was not in the habit of begging pardon, and did it now of his own free will, Dotty was greatly astonished.
"Yes, Johnny," said she, "I forgive you all up. But then I don't ever want you to put my eyes out again."
"I won't, now, honest; see 'f I do," replied Master Johnny, in a choked voice. "And you may have that bouquet-holder, to keep; mother said so."
"O, Johnny!"
"Yes; mother says we can call it a 'peace offering.' Let's not quarrel any more, Dotty, just to see how 'twill seem."
"What, never!" exclaimed Dotty, starting up on her elbow, and trying to look through her thick bandage at Johnny. "Never! Why, don't you mean to come to my house any more, Johnny Eastman?"
"Yes; but I won't quarrel unless you begin it."
"O, I shan't begin it," replied Miss Dimple, confidently; "I never do, you know."