mamma, and Julia looked sadder than ever to hear Flaxie talk in
this way and run out of the parlor crying.

Dora stood by the kitchen-table ironing very cheerfully.

"Dodo," said Flaxie, "what shall we do to have a good time?"

"Such a funny child as you are, Miss Flaxie," said the girl, trying
another flatiron; "haven't you everything to your mind, and haven't you
always had ever since you were born?"

"No, indeed, Dodo," said Flaxie, mournfully, breaking off a corner from
a sheet of sponge-cake which stood cooling in the window; "_I_ don't
want my brother to be blind."

"Well, but you can't help it, though. So you'd better not go round the
house, moping in this way and worrying your mother," returned Dora,
making a quick plunge with her flatiron into the folds of a calico
dress.

Worrying her mother! Flaxie had not thought of that. She supposed she
was showing very kind and tender feelings when she cried about Preston.

"Let's go back to the parlor," said Milly; "perhaps Aunt Emily will feel
better if we talk and laugh and play with the baby."

"That's the nicest little thing I ever saw," thought Dora, gazing after
Milly; "she don't fret about her own feelings, but tries to make other
folks happy."

This was very true, but you mustn't suppose that Flaxie didn't also try
to make other people happy. She did whenever she could think of it. She
was really learning lessons in unselfishness every day; and how could
she help it when everybody in the house set her such a good example?

She and Milly went back to the parlor now, and talked to grandma about
their western cousins, Pollio and Posy Pitcher; and then they made
little Phil eat apples like a squirrel,--a very funny performance. After
that they told him to go into the middle of the room, make a bow, and
"speak his piece." That was funny too, and Ethel joined in on a high
key:

"Poor little fish, I know you wish
To live as well as I;
I will not hook you from the brook,
Or even wish to try.

"And you, old frog, behind the log,
I will not stop your song;
Your great round eyes may watch the flies,
I will not do you wrong."

Mrs. Gray and grandma did not know this exhibition was called for on
purpose to amuse them, but they laughed heartily, and felt the better
for it; and so did Flaxie and Milly. Wasn't it much better than sitting
in silence and thinking about Preston, when they couldn't help him at
all?

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