"And yet you were afraid to take a pear?"
"Because I did not wish to do it, Panoria."
"Did not dare do it, Napoleon!"
"Did not wish to do it, Panoria."
"And if you wished it, would you do it?"
"Certainly I would."
"I think you are a boaster, Napoleon; and in your uncle's presence would be just as great a coward as Eliza or Pauline?"
"Come, children, follow me," said Severia, walking on.
"You think I am a coward?" whispered Eliza to her little friend. "Come into the house, and see if I don't eat as much of uncle's fruit as I please. Mamma is gone out to pay a visit, and will not be home until to-morrow."
"Then I'll help you," said Panoria. And the little girls, fixing their wistful eyes on the tempting fruit, followed Severia to the house.