THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



Johnny gone into business about which he does not care 

 to talk." 



"The fact is, father," said Mrs. Wellson, ic the children 

 have agreed to go without what they call * their share of 

 the strawberries,' and intend, with your permission, to sell 

 them, and so help pay our debts." 



Mr. Wellson's appetite was gone. He did not care to 

 eat any more berries. He paused and gazed into his coffee- 

 cup. What he saw there was uncertain, for his eyes 

 seemed very misty just then. He pushed back his chair 

 as if to rise. The impetuous Kate slid from her seat, and 

 planting her liberal self upon his knee, twined her arms 

 about his neck. 



' ' father, father ! We did not mean to do wrong, 

 and and it's all my fault." 



Poor Johnny sank down in his chair nearly out of sight. 

 If he could have disappeared through the bottom of his 

 boots, he would have done so cheerfully. 



"No, it isn't," said he, in a solemn voice. " I did it, 

 and I'll tell you about it. if you'll let a fellow." 



Mary turned away and stared out of the window very 

 hard. Mrs. Wellson rattled the tea-things and tried to be 

 cheerful. 



Taking Kate's face in his two hands, Mr. Wellson looked 

 as steadily as he could into her clear brown eyes. Hia 

 own were rather dim, and perhaps dewy. 



