100 CAROLINE.

 

 

Beechnut’s talk to Augusta. Augusta is quieted.

Beechnut then attempted to find some subject of con-
versation to amuse her. He did not dare, however, to in-
troduce any new subject abruptly, expecting that if he
were to do so he might lose the hold that he had ac-
quired, and that then, on the thought of Anne coming
back into her mind, she would burst into tears again. So
he said,

“TT like you very much, and I like the pretty moon too.
I see the moon in the sky, and I have got you in my
arms, and I am not going to let anybody hurt you. I
am going to show you the moon because you are such a
good girl, and I like you very much.”

Then pausing a moment, and finding that Augusta ap-
peared quite quiet, he said, in a very gentle voice,

“ Can you see the moon ?P”’

Augusta did not answer.

“ Point to the moon with your finger.”

Augusta raised her finger a moment, and pointed to
the moon, and then put it immediately down again.

Presently Beechnut sat down upon a seat in the corner
of the yard, and took Augusta down into his lap.

“ How old are you?” said Beechnut.

“Three years old,” said Augusta.

“ Why, how old you are!” said Beechnut. “Once f
knew a girl who was only two.”

From this, Beechnut went on until he gradually drew
Augusta into quite a conversation, and finally led her
back to the piazza again, where a great many of the chil-
dren were standing, wondering by what sort of magic he
had succeeded im so suddenly quieting the child. Anne
had come back, and Beechnut restored Augusta to her
care. Several of the girls asked Beechnut what he had