The girl's dark eyes grew moist as she turned them upon him, saying
warmly,--

"I know it, Charley; and I would love her for that, if nothing else:
but I can't forget she's almost a year younger than I am, and ought
not to expect to take the lead in every thing."

"Pooh, Kit-cat, don't be ridiculous! Get the soup, and put it over
the fire; and I'll tell you all I know about our little guest."

"I let the fire go down when tea was ready, it is so warm to-night,"
said Kitty, raking away the ashes in the open fireplace, and drawing
together a few coals.

"That will do. You only want a cupful or so at once, and you can
warm it in a saucepan over those coals."

"Dear me! I guess I know how to do as much as that without telling.
Sit down now, and let me hear about the child."

So Karl dropped into the wooden arm-chair beside the hearth, and
told his story; while Kitty, bustling about, warmed the broth, moved
the tea-pot and covered dish of toast nearer to the remnant of fire,
waved a few flies off the neat tea-table, and drove out an intrusive
chicken, who, before going to roost, was evidently determined to
secure a dainty bit for supper from the saucer of bread and milk set
in the corner for pussy.

"If the broth is ready, I'll take it in," said Karl, as his sister
removed it from the fire.