Dr. Gray's daughter Ruth, a girl of fourteen, was to have the care of Prudy; and at first she followed the child about like her shadow.
"You dear little pet," said she, "don't walk so fast. There, now, my sweet dovey, let me take your hand."
Prudy looked down at her copper-toed shoes with something like a pout, and slowly gave her hand to the young girl.
"Now, you're a little pink of a dear," said Ruth. "Let's see," added she, feeling anxious to say something, for she thought Prudy would want to be amused, "do you love your aunt Madge any? I think she's very good and nice."
"Yes'm," said Prudy, "I've kissed her so much that I love her a good deal."
"Well, I declare," laughed Ruth, "that's a new way of learning to love any body! I guess people call you a funny little monkey, don't they?"
"No'm, they don't," replied Prudy, drawing away a little, "they think I'm as cunning as I can be."
"O, my! I know a little girl that thinks pretty well of herself. Ah, here comes Dedy Roberts; does my little love know Dedy?"
"Yes'm, I went to see her once; she lives in a dreadful ragged house!"
"Well, you two little lammies can sit right down here and pick flowers, and if you find a strawberry I'll give you a cent."