"See here, kid, you say your sister Solly is big,
grown up, don't you?" he inquired.

Content nodded pitifully.

"Then why, if she is grown up and pretty, don't
she have a beau?"

Content stopped sobbing and gave him a quick
glance.

"Then -- why doesn't she get married, and go out
West to live?"

Jim chuckled. Instead of a sob, a faint echo of his
chuckle came from Content.

Jim laughed merrily. "I say, Content," he cried,
"let's have it she's married now, and gone?"

"Well," said Content.

Jim put his arm around her very nicely and pro-
tectingly. "It's all right, then," said he, "as all
right as it can be for a girl. Say, Content, ain't it
a shame you aren't a boy?"

"I can't help it," said Content, meekly.

"You see," said Jim, thoughtfully, "I don't, as