190 
JACK SHORT. 
But you’ll find out some day, when I am 
dead and gone, what it is to have a mother.” 
So saying, she bounced out of the room. 
Jack looked very much annoyed and dis¬ 
turbed. “Isn’t that pleasant?” he said. 
“ I didn’t mean any thing, I’m sure; but she 
does take one up so.” 
“I think perhaps it would have been 
better not to have said it,” replied Sidney, 
in his quiet way; “but I am sure you did 
not mean any harm. I would not worry 
about it,” he continued, seeing Jack’s eyes 
filled with tears. “I dare say she won’t 
think any more of it.” 
Jack passed his hand over his eyes. “I’m 
so weak, or something, every little thing 
makes me cry,” he said, apologetically. 
“I’ve cried more times since I was sick 
than ever I did before in my life.” 
“Don’t think any more about it,” said 
Richard. “ I will read to you a while; and 
then we must go home to dinner.” 
Richard began the “Northern Regions,” 
and read the first two chapters, Jack whit¬ 
tling away industriously all the time. When 
he had finished, th'ey rose to go. 
“IIow well yon read!” said Jack. “I 
