erty, the eldest of the three. Her fair hair fell in
long ringlets over a neck as white as snow; she had blue eyes, a cherub
face, and a little round plump figure. Gerty's admiration and rapture
were such, that she could find no expression for them, and directing
Willie's notice first to one thing and then another; "Oh, Willie, isn't
she a darling? and see what a beautiful fire--what a splendid lady! What
is that on the table? I guess it's good! There's a big looking-glass;
and oh, Willie! an't they dear, handsome children?"

True now came up, and as his torch-light swept along the side-walk Gerty
and Willie became the subjects of notice and conversation. The
curly-haired girl saw them, and pointed them out to the notice of the
other two. Though Gerty could not know what they were saying, she did
not like being stared at and talked about; and hiding behind the post,
she would not move or look up, though Willie laughed at her, and told
her it was now her _turn_ to be looked at. When True moved off, she
began to run, so as to escape observation; but Willie calling to her,
and saying that the children were gone from the window, she ran back to
have one more look, and was just in time to see them taking their places
at the tea-table. Then the servant-girl drew down the window-blinds.
Gerty then took Willie's hand, and they tried to overtake True.

"Shouldn't you like to live in such a house as that, Gerty!" said
Willie.

"Yes, indeed," said Gerty; "an't it splendid?"

"I wish I had just such a house," said Willie. "I mean one of these
days."

"Where will you get it?" exclaimed Gerty, much amazed at so bold a
declaration.

"Oh, I shall work, and grow rich, and buy it."

"You can't; it would take a lot o' money!"

"I know it; but I can earn a lot, and I will, too. The gentleman that
lives in that grand house was a poor boy when he first came to Boston;
and why can't one poor boy get rich as well an another?"

"How do you suppose he got so much money?"

"I don't know how _he_ did; there are a great many ways. Some people
think it's all luck, but I guess it's as much smartness as anything."

"Are you smart?"

Willie laughed. "An't I?" said he. "If I don't turn out a rich man one
of these days, you may say I an't."

"I know what I'd do if I was rich," said Gerty.

"What?" asked Willie.

"First, I'd buy a great nice chair for Uncle True, with cushions all in
the inside, and bright flowers on it--just exactly li