“Well, I didn’t lost mine: a hole came into it.”
“Where’s Teddy’s?”
“A hole camed into Teddy’s.”
“What!” cried Nunky, “those three balloons all spoiled in one day!”
“Whew! that’s mean!” said Pollio. “But then,” added he, brightening, “now you won’t feel so bad any more, Nunky, if you didn’t have any b’loons when you were a little boy; for they don’t pay.”
Nunky laughed, and called Pollio “a little comforter.”
Pollio thought he might eat some supper, if Posy would feed him: so mamma, wishing to please the sick boy, tucked a napkin under his chin, spread a table-cloth on the bed, and gave him a silver waiter with dry toast, plum-preserves, and sponge-cake.
Of course the children spilled milk, and dropped crumbs; but they were as happy as a pair of nestlings till Pollio suddenly swallowed a plum-stone.
“O mamma! you pat him on the back while I pray,” cried Posy, clasping her hands. “Don’t you be afraid, Pollio. I prayed when Teddy got choked, and he didn’t die; and I’ll pray for you now, and you won’t die.”