Under the lilacs

162 UNDER THE LILACS.to her, only I won't forgive her till Sanch comesback."But he was better than his word ; for, just before thepost was reached, Bab, blinded by tears, tripped overthe root of a tree, and, rolling down the bank, landedin a bed of wet nettles. Ben had her out in a jiffy,andvainly tried to comfort her but she was;past any consolationhe could offer, and roared dismally as shewrung her tingling hands, with great drops runningover her cheeks almost as fast as the muddylittle rillsran down the road." Oh dear, oh dear ! I 'm all stinged up, and I wantmy supper ;and my feet ache, and I 'm cold, and everything is so horrid " wailed the poor child lying on the!grass, such a miserable little wet bunch that the sternestparent would have melted at the sight."Don't cry so, Babby ;I was real cross, and I'msorry. I '11forgive you right away now, and nevershake you any more," cried Ben, so full of pity for hertribulations that he forgot his own, like a generous littleman."Shake me again, if you want to; I know I wasvery bad to tag and lose Sanch. I never will any more,and I 'm so sorry, I don't know what to do,'' answeredBab, completely bowed down by this magnanimity." Never mind ; you just wipe up your face and comealong, and we Ma '11 tell all about it, and she '11 fix usas nice as can be. I shouldn't wonder if Sanch gothome now before we did," said Ben, cheering himselfas well as her by the fond hope." I don't believe / ever shall. I 'm so tired my legswon't go. and the water in my boots makes them feel