Yes, it was Benny; she was near enough to recognize him now. But when she saw—as she did at a glance—what he was about to do, her heart stood still for a moment; the next moment she harried forward with the fleetness of the wind, and laid her hand upon his arm, unable to speak a word.
For two or three seconds the children looked at each other in silence, then Nelly took her brother by the hand and led him away. She uttered no word of reproach, she only said, "My poor Benny!" and her great round eyes filled with tears, which rolled silently down her wasted cheeks.
"It was for you, Nelly, I thought 't would warm yer. I wouldna 'ave done it for myself."
And again came the words, in a choking voice, "My poor Benny!"
"I didna think it war so very wicked, seein' as you is so ill, Nelly. Is you very mad at me, Nell?"
"I's not mad, Benny, but I's sorry—oh, so sorry! I did not think——"
But here she broke off abruptly: she would utter no word of reproach, for she knew it was all out of love for her.
That evening she could eat no supper. Benny knew the reason and did not press her, but her silent grief nearly broke his heart. He would rather suffer anything himself than see his sister suffer. And yet now he had given her keener pain than words could tell.
