silently for some moments, the cross expression on his face
became a little less cross.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Stringing cranberries for the Mullins' Christmas tree," answered
Laura. "Don't you want to help me?"

"It's girls' work," replied Arthur.

"Isn't a boy smart enouhg to do a girl's work?" asked Laura.

"Of course, he's SMART enough. I don't mean that! Perhaps he
doesn't want to."

"Oh," said Laura, "I wish you did want to."

"Why?" asked Arthur.

"I promised to string all these for the Mullins' Christmas tree"
replied Laura. "The market-man brought them so late, I have not
much time now."

"Thread another needle," said Arthur.

In a few moments he was working as busily as Laura, herself.
As Arthur finished his last long string, he tied the ends
together and threw it around Laura's neck. When she bent her head
a little, it reached the floor.