"But Allan and I will work for you, my darling," I exclaimed,
throwing my arms round him; "only you must not leave us, Dot, even
for father;" and as I said this I began to sob bitterly. I was
terribly ashamed of myself when Allan came in and discovered me in
the act; and there was Jack keeping me company, and frowning away her
tears dreadfully.

I thought Allan would have scolded us all round; but no, he did
nothing of the kind. He patted Jack's wet cheeks and laughed at the
hole in her handkerchief; and he then seated himself on the bed, and
asked me very gently what was the matter with us all. Dot was
spokesman: he stated the facts of the case rather lugubriously and in
a slightly injured voice.

"Esther is crying because she is selfish, and I am afraid I am
selfish too."

"Most likely," returned Allan, dryly; "it is a human failing. What
is the case in point, Frankie?"

Allan was the only one of us who ever called Dot by his proper name.

"I should not mind growing up to be a man," replied Dot, fencing a
little, "if I were big and strong like you," taking hold of the huge
sinewy hand. "I could work then for mother and the girls; but now you
will be always obliged to take care of me, and so--and so--" and here
Dot's lips quivered a little, "I would rather go with dear father, if
Esther would not cry about it so."

"No, no, you must stay with us, Sonny," returned Allan, cheerily.