Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/72

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
60
"MARIA."

April closed her story. She took her moments from the can, poured the dandelions into Thekla's lap, and rose to go.

"I am late," she said: "all my violets must be made before midnight. I have none but these few in my hair."

"Not yet,—stay a little longer!" pleaded the children.

"Ah, no!" said April: "I must go. You won't miss me long: May is coming, my sister May. Everybody loves her better than they do me," and she wiped her eyes dolefully as she shut the door.

"What a goose I am!" she cried, flinging it open again, with a merry laugh. "Don't mind my nonsense. Good-by, dears, good-by!"

Oh, how cheerful the kitchen seemed now! Where were the colds and the disconsolate looks? All gone; and Max and Thekla laughed gayly into each other's faces.