The Choir Invisible

"Don't be cross!" she pleaded, with a low laugh full of maddening music to

him.

He could not speak to her or look at her for anger and shame and

disappointment; so she withdrew one hand from under her cheek and folded it

softly over the back of his--his was pressed hard down on the cap of his

knee--and took hold of his big finders one by one, caressing them.

"Don't be cross!" she pleaded. "Be good to me! I'm tired and unhappy!"

Still he would not speak, or look at her; so she put her hand back under her

cheek again, and with a patient little sigh closed her eyes as though she

had done all she could. The next moment she leaned over and let her forehead

rest on the back of his hand."You are so cross!" she said. "I don't like

you!"

"Amy!" he cried, turning fiercely on her and catching her hand cruelly in

his, "before I say anything else to you, you've got to promise me--"And then

he broke down and then went on again foolishly--,you've got to promise me

one thing now. You sha'n't treat me in one way when we are by ourselves and

go in another way when other people are present. If you love me, as you

always make me believe you do when we are alone, you must make the whole

world believe it!"

"What right would I have to make the whole world believe I loved you?" she

asked, looking at him quizzically.

"I'll give you the right!"

The rattle of china at the cupboard in the next room was heard. Amy started

up and skipped across the room to the candle on the mantelpiece.

"If Kitty does come back in here--" she said, in a disappointed undertone;

and with the snuffers between her thumb and forefinger, she snipped them

bitingly several times at the door.

The door was opened slightly, a plate was thrust through, and a laughing

voice called apologetically: "Amy!"

"Come in here! Come in!" commanded Amy, delightedly; and as Kitty

reluctantly entered, she fixed upon her a telling look. "Upon my word," she

said, "what do you mean by treating me this way?" and catching Kitty's eye,

she made a grimace at John.

Kitty offered the candy to John with the assurance that it was made out of

that year's maple sugar in their own camp.

"He never eats sweet things and he doesn't care for trifles: bring it here!"

And the girls seated themselves busily side by side on the opposite side of

the room. Amy bent over the plate and chose the largest, beautiful white

plait."Now there'll be a long silence," she said, holding it up between her

dainty fingers and settling herself back in her chair. "But, Kitty, you

talk. And if you do leave your company again!--" She threatened Kitty

charmingly.