107 



While we were thus engaged the place was gradually 

 darkened by the cloths placed on the glass outside by the 

 children. By the time I had watered that house, every 

 ray of sunlight was shut out. Then, with Mr. Felix's help, 

 the hose was removed to the east house, and I began again. 



Suddenly the door opened, and my brother Joseph en- 

 tered. 



"What's the matter, Maria? " 



" My fire went out, and the plants are frozen." 



" Frozen, are they? Just what I expected. I told you, 

 you would foil up, some day." 



" Did you?" 



" Yes, I did, and now I hope you will listen to your 

 friends and reason." 



"Move, Joseph, please move; I must water my plants. 

 Come another time, please." 



" No, I'll not move." 



"But you must! " 



"No, I will not. You shall hear me now. I say you 

 must give up this " 



" Joseph, you must move on, or I shall wet you." 



" I say you must sell out and give this thing up." 



" Move on, please." 



But he would riot, and, calling to Mr. Felix to give more 

 force to the stream, I made a slight movement of the now 

 powerful stream. My brother's coat-sleeve glistened with 

 the spray. 



