rs to write. Run away now and play with True.'

So Bobby went, revolving many things in his mind. And an hour later,
when he was getting tired of romping with True, he sat down on the
grass underneath an apple-tree.

'I like Nobbles to be good,' he confided to True; 'but I'm 'fraid he
can't be ind'pendent. He's plucky, he's afraid of nobody, and loves to
give anyone a good beating; and he's quite, quite straight, so he's
hon'rable, but he can't stand alone, or do things for himself.'

'Can't he? You give him to me. I'll make him stand up.'

True had seized hold of Nobbles and stuck him triumphantly two inches
into the ground, where he stood smiling at them.

Bobby did not approve of this treatment.

'You're not to touch him. He doesn't belong to you.'

'He's only a stick!'

True's tone was scornful. For the first time Bobby began to feel angry
with her.

'He's my Nobbles, and I like him much better than you.'

He hugged his stick and walked off. True pursued him.

'He's only a stick,' she repeated. 'I could break him in half if I
tried!'

'You're a horrid girl, and I wish my father would send you away. You
don't belong to him and me at all!'

'You don't belong to us!' cried True excitedly. 'Dad and me always
goes out together, and we'll leave you behind. We don't want you at
all. We was ever so happy before you came. You'd better go back to
that old House of yours. We don't want you!'

It takes so little to make a quarrel. Fiery little True rushed into
her mother in a passion of tears, declaring that she hated Bobby and
would never play with him again; and Bobby was found some minutes later
by Margot lying face downwards in the garden crying as if his heart
would break.

'I'll never be happy again. She says I don't belong here,' he sobbed.

Peace was made at last, for Margot took him straight into Mrs. Allonby,
who talked to both children as only she could talk, lovingly, gently,
but very firmly. When girl and boy were both safely tucked away in bed
that night, she said to her husband:

'Oh, Frank, shall we have a divided house?'

'Never!' he said cheerfully. 'Both these youngsters have had things
their own way. Now they will have to give and take, and it will do
them each a power of good.'

She smiled, and her anxious look disappeared.

'If we are of one mind it will be easy,' she said.

And her husband replied:

'Your mind and will rule this household, darling. I shall