136 PATSY'S POND LILIES 



his return, was full of trouble at the sight 

 of his white face. 



"It ain't much of anything, Patsy dear," he 

 said brightly- "I'm hurt just a bit in my back, 

 and I'll sit down for a while till the pain is 

 gone. By and by I'll tell you all about it." 



The little fellow did not get better as the 

 hours passed, and Patsy began to wonder what 

 she could do to get some money for the ncxc 

 day's food ; and Bob must have some medicine, 

 too. 



"Oh, Bob, my Dandy Bob, you won't go 

 to sleep like mother did?" sobbed Patsy as dark- 

 ness came and the children cuddled down to- 

 gether near the rude building, preferring the 

 watching stars to the stuffy corner that sheltered 

 them in rainy or cold weather. It was then Bob 

 told Patsy that it was just about time for tlv? 

 pond lilies to bloom and soon he would bring 

 her some if she would be a good girl and go 

 to sleep. 



Before daylight she had crept quietly away, 

 determined to find the coveted lilies and in sell- 

 ing them get money enough to buy food and, 

 yes, a big juicy orange for Bob with the bad 

 pain in his back. 



