94 Tom Seven Years Old.

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the first question he always asked, after say-
ing, “ How do you do?”

_“ Archibald Graham,” answered he. “I’m
called Archie.”

“How old are you?” said Tom. This was
always his second question.

“T shall be eight in May,” he answered.

“T suppose you want to know what I’m
called, and how old Iam,” said Tom. “ Well,
I’m seven, and my name is Tom.”

“Tom,” said Archie, “may I take off my
coat? Mamma said I wasn’t to keep it on
in the house.” |

“Certainly,” said Tom, helping him to pull
it off, “You may do anything you like. I
want you to be happy. Which chair shall I
put it on? You can choose.”

“Vl put it out of sight,” said Archie, carry-
ing it to the ottoman; “it’s tidier.”

“Now,” said Tom, “what would you like
to do next? What do you think would be
_ happiest ?”

Archie walked to the piano, and .Tom fol-
lowed him.