He
therefore walked quietly up to the cot and laid his head down beside
his little playmate as if inviting a caress. She put a weak little
hand on his head.

"Yes, Dukie, I know you love me."

Maggie re-entered the room. In her hand was a plate, and on that plate
was a large slice of white chicken meat. Beth's eyes glistened at
sight of it.

"Dar, honey chile, dey jes' shan't starve yo' to death. Here am a
whole lot ob chicken for yo'."

Beth grabbed the plate. "Oh, Maggie, it's--it's heavenly."

Suddenly, Maggie heard Mrs. Davenport approaching. Her eyes rolled
tragically.

"Law, honey, it's yo'r maw. Hide de chicken under yo'r pillow. I'll
get rid of her, an' den yo' can eat de chicken in peace. Quick, honey,
or she'll take it away from yo'."

Beth put the plate with the chicken under her pillow. Maggie tried to
look unconcerned.

Mrs. Davenport entered the room. "Well, my dearie is awake, is she?"

"Oh, mamma, I'm so hungry. I do wish I could have a piece of chicken."

"No, no, dearie, that would never do. I'll get you some lovely mutton
broth."

Tears rose in Beth's eyes. "I don't want broth."

"Oh, yes, you do, dearie." Mrs. Davenport left the room to get the
broth. Maggie went to the bed and drew out the chicken.

"Quick, honey, yo' eat it while she's gone and she need neber know."

Beth's eyes feasted on the chicken for a second or two. She halfway
put out a hand for it, but quickly drew it back again.

"No, Maggie, it wouldn't be honorable."

"Law, child, yo'd bettah eat it. Yo'r maw'll find me with it, and den
she'll blame me."

Beth held out her hand for the plate. She looked at the chicken very
longingly, and Maggie thought that she had made up her mind to eat it.
She did take up the meat, but she held it out to Duke, saying:

"It'll be honorable for you to eat it. Duke, and then mamma'll never
blame Maggie. It was very nice of you, Maggie, to get it for me, but I
couldn't deceive mamma."

Duke gulped the meat down at one swallow much to the envy of Beth. She
held out the empty plate to Maggie.

"Take it away, Maggie. The smell of it makes me so dreadfully hungry."

Maggie took it and left the room, muttering:

"It's a ter'ble shame, a ter'ble shame."

Mrs. Davenport came in with the steaming broth.

"Here, dearie, is your broth."

Beth burst into tears. "I can't eat it. I just can't touch the horrid
stuff. Please take it away."

Her mother did not