Sukie 



I was almost sorry I had carried the 

 jest so far, for her face flushed painfully. 



" O Master Harry," she said, and I saw 

 I had given her a real stab. Then she 

 shook her fist menacingly. "A nasty 

 hussy!" she said, '' O, I could, I could — I 

 don't know what ! " 



" Don't be so fierce, Sukie," I laughed. 

 " She is not so bad either. I was only in 

 fun." 



A few days later I called down the pas- 

 sage, " Martha, my Mother w^ants you." 



'' Coming, Master Harry," replied a 

 familiar voice ; and up comes Sukie in her 

 white apron, and evidently prepared for 

 business. There was a general cry of de- 

 light and surprise, and my Father jumped 

 up and shook both her hands, and Mary 

 gave her a hearty kiss. 



" I thouofht as how I'd better come back 

 after all," said Sukie, abruptly, her bonny 

 old face all aglow with pleasure. Then my 

 Mother, with an effort at severity, said, 



*' I am glad you have come to your 

 senses, Susan," though in truth her whole 

 person was radiant with the satisfaction she 

 strove to conceal. 



We did our best to keep the boys away 

 from her and to lighten her burden in our 

 house, and the faithful soul stayed with us 

 208 



