led to the thought that people, too, were
probably alike. So I forgot what the
conductor had said to me about keeping
still, and I crossed over the aisle and
sat down beside a little girl who was
regrettably young, but who looked
pleasant. Her mother and grand-
mother were sitting opposite, and they
smiled at me in a watery sort of way
as if they thought a smile was expected
of them. I meant to talk to the little
girl, but I saw she was almost on the
verge of tears, and it didn't take me
long to discover what was the matter.
Her little pink hat was held on by an
elastic band, which, being put behind
her ears and under her chin, was cut-
ting her cruelly. I knew by experience
that if the band were placed in front of
her ears the tension would be lessened;
so, with the most benevolent intentions
in the world, I inserted my fingers be-
tween the rubber and her chubby
cheeks, drew it out with nervous but
friendly fingers, somehow let go of it,
and snap across her two red cheeks and
her pretty pug nose went the lacerat-
ing elastic, leaving a welt behind it!

"What do you mean, you bad girl?"