little place had just been waiting for a couple of little
girls to come there and enjoy a treat.

For a long time they played while Minnie sat comfortably at the foot of
a tree and sewed on one of her doilies. Suddenly they were interrupted
by the sound of crying.

Both girls stood motionless in amazement. Minnie put down her work. The
crying continued. It was no feeble wail, but a good hearty roar with a
running accompaniment of sobs in another key. Two children were being as
miserable and unhappy as they knew how. As they came close to the leafy
screen that protected Rosanna and Helen, the girls were able to see as
well as hear the sobbing pair.

The most noise was made by a chubby, red-faced little fellow wearing a
cap. He was dragging an empty box by a string, like a little wagon, and
his roars did not prevent an air of lively interest in his
surroundings. His face was tear streaked, and he cried with the air of
one who never intends to stop. A girl, rather smaller, followed. She
clutched her brother firmly by the back of the blouse and allowed him to
drag her forward.

Her eyes were screwed tight shut, her head was thrown back and she
shuffled along, the very picture of woe. Three other children completed
the mournful group. A larger girl, who staggered along under the weight
of the fat baby she was carrying, and another small boy who stalked
along, scowling unhappily, but with firm steps and squared shoulders as
though he would not let himself be overcome by misfortune.

"Oh, oh, _oh_!" cried the little girl. "Oh, oh, _oh_!" It seemed all she
could say.

"L--let l-loose of me!" roared the boy whose blouse she was clutching.

"Please stop your crying," begged the older girl, setting the baby on
his feet and shifting him to the other arm. "The police will come if you
don't."

"I don't care! Ow, ow, ow!" yelled the boy.

Rosanna backed up to Minnie and stood there quite overcome. Not so with
Helen, however. After a good look, she pushed through the leafy screen,
jumped down the low bank and proceeded to ask questions. At the sound of
her voice the small girl opened her eyes and her sobs dwindled to a
steady sniffle. The boy stopped instantly. He looked ashamed. The big
girl once more put down the baby, setting it on the bank, and the boy
who had not cried stared off down the road, never giving Helen a glance.
Presently the girl sat down with the baby and Helen dropped down beside
her. Rosanna was filled wi