ke haste, and don't be always calling for Nettie. Don't you know
you must do without Nettie some time? Jump up, and be a man."

"When I am a man, I shan't want you," said Freddy, getting up with
reluctance; "but I can't be a man now. And what am I to do with the
buttons if you won't help me? I shall not have buttons like those when
I am a man."

It was not in human nature to refrain from giving the little savage an
admonitory shake. "That is all I am good for--nothing but buttons!" said
Nettie, with whimsical mortification. When they went down to breakfast,
she sent the child before her, and came last instead of first, waiting
till they were all assembled. Mrs Fred watched her advent with apprehensive
eyes. Thinking it over after her first triumph, it occurred to Mrs Fred
that the loss of Nettie would make a serious difference to her own
comfort. Who was to take charge of the children, and conduct those
vulgar affairs for which Susan's feelings disqualified her? She did her
best to decipher the pale face which appeared over the breakfast cups
and saucers opposite. What did Nettie mean to do? Susan revolved the
question in considerable panic, seeing but too clearly that the firm
little hand no longer trembled, and that Nettie was absorbed by her own
thoughts--thoughts with which her present companions had but little to
do. Mrs Fred essayed another stroke.

"Perhaps I was hasty, Nettie, last night; but Richard, you know, poor
fellow," said Susan, "was not to be put off. It won't make any difference
between you and me, Nettie dear? We have always been so united, whatever
has happened; and the children are so fond of you; and as for me,"
said Mrs Fred, putting back the strings of her cap, and pressing her
handkerchief upon her eyes, "with my health, and after all I have gone
through, how I could ever exist without you, I can't tell; and Richard
will be so pleased----"

"I don't want to hear anything about Richard, please," said Nettie--"not
so far as I am concerned. I should have taken you out, and taken care of
you, had you chosen me; but you can't have two people, you know. One is
enough for anybody. Never mind what we are talking about, Freddy. It is
only your buttons--nothing else. As long as you were my business, I
should have scorned to complain," said Nettie, with a little quiver
of her lip. "Nothing would have made me forsake you, or leave you to
yourself; but now you are somebody else's business; and to speak of