126 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



and where there isn't anybody who knows us, and where 

 we don't know anybody. Oh, if I were only a boy ! I'd 

 fix things." 



"Would you though? Come, tell us, Kate, what'd 

 jou do?" 



" Work ! work like a house a-fire." 



A hearty laugh greeted this burst, and things actually 

 looked brighter. To such a stirring young body every- 

 thing seemed possible. 



"Now, father, let's not beat about the bush. Tell us 

 just how things stand. Perhaps it isn't so awful bad, after 

 all." 



"No, Kate, it is not such a terrible affair. Only a 

 little matter of one hundred dollars." 



"Oh! is that all?" 



' i Yes ; but every year we are that amount short. For 

 the past few years a small sum in the savings-bank has 

 served to eke out the deficiency. This belonged to your 

 mother, and she insisted upon its use that you children 

 might continue in this pleasant home a little longer. Now 

 it is all gone." 



" you good, dear, dear mother ! " cried Kate, jumping 

 up suddenly and planting her liberal self in her mother's 

 lap, to the demoralizing of work-basket and mending ; 

 "you're better than cranberry jam, or frozen pudding, 

 and that's heavenly, you know." 



Mr. Wellsen went on : " We shall do well enough till the 



