or I would have died like my father and mother."

Jim's arm, which was near her, twitched convul-
sively, but he did not put it around her.

"She did -- co-me," sobbed Content. "Big sister
Solly did come."

"Well, have it so," said Jim, suddenly. "No use
going over that any longer. Have it she came, but
she ain't here now, anyway. Content Adams, you
can't look me in the face and tell me that."

Content looked at Jim, and her little face was
almost terrible, so full of bewilderment and fear
it was. "Jim," whispered Content, "I can't have
big sister Solly not be here. I can't send her away.
What would she think?"

Jim stared. "Think? Why, she isn't alive to
think, anyhow!"

"I can't make her -- dead," sobbed Content. "She
came when I wanted her, and now when I don't so
much, when I've got Uncle Edward and Aunt Sally
and you, and don't feel so dreadful lonesome, I
can't be so bad as to make her dead."

Jim whistled. Then his face brightened up. He
looked at Content with a shrewd and cheerful grin.