Part 18 (1/2)
And the thought of helping others cheered herself
She needed so from her trunk That was at the door, just where Jack had left it She went out, and found that Chokie had changed hisa pyrale for a shovel, and the trunk for a foundation
”Why, Chokie!” she said; ”what are you doing?”
”Ihis shi+ngle
”After I dit it about twice as bid as the house, I doin' to put some powder in it, and tout'th it off”
”O dear!” said Vinnie; ”I'm afraid you'll blow my trunk to pieces; and I must have my trunk now!”
”I doin' to blow it to pieces, and you tan't have it,” cried Chokie, stoutly
”But I've soet it for you, if you touch off your Fourth-of-July on it”
”O, wal, youit into his clothing, into the house, and so leisurely about his castle, now ca Vinnie in some distress, inquired, in his lofty way, if he could do anything for her
”If you please,” she replied, laughing, as she brushed the sand away from her eyes, ”I should like to have this trunk carried in”
Betterson drew hinified surprise; for he had not meant to proffer any such menial service Vinnie perceived the little ly iy was due She even per behind the sand in her eyes, which sheaway, she waited to see what he would do
He looked around, and coughed uncomfortably
”Where are the boys?” he asked ”This--hem--is very aard I don't knohy the trunk was left here; I directed that it should be taken to Cecie's room”--
Vinnie mischievously resolved that the noble Betterson back should bend beneath that burden
”It is quite light,” she said ”If you want help, I can lift one end of it”
The ireatness of character, but weakness of body, which kept him above such service, touched my lord As she, at the same time, actually laid hold of one handle, he waived her off, with ostentatious gallantry
”Permit me!” And, with a smile of condescension, which see; but they can always be polite to the ladies,” he took up the trunk by both handles, and went politely _backward_ with it into the house, a performance at which Jack would have smiled I say _perfor, lofty and nificent even under the burden, that this was not an ordinary act of an ordinaryset down the trunk in its place, he brushed his fingers with a soiled handkerchief, and retired, exceedingly flushed and puffy in his tight stock
Vinnie thanked hihed slyly, and Mrs Betterson looked amazed
”Why, Lavinia! how did you ever dare?”
”Dare what?”
”To ask Mr Betterson to carry your trunk?”
[Illustration: VINNIE'S STRATAGEM]
”Why not?” said Vinnie, with round eyes