then the train gave another lurch and Freddie suddenly spilled some of
the water on his coat.

"Oh, look what you did!" cried Flossie. "And that's your best coat!"

"I - I couldn't help it," stammered Freddie.

"Never mind, little boy," said the fat lady. "It's only clean water.
Come here and I'll wipe it off with my handkerchief. I'd come to you,
only I'm so stout it's hard enough for me to walk anyhow, and when the
train is moving I simply can't do it."

Freddie and Flossie went to her seat, and with a handkerchief, that
Flossie said afterward was almost as big as a table cloth, the fat lady
wiped the water off Freddie's coat.

The little boy held the silver cup in his hand, and feeling, somehow,
that he ought to repay the fat lady's kindness in some way, after
thanking her, he asked:

"Would you like a drink of water? I can bring it to you if you would."

"Thank you," she answered. "What a kind little boy you are! I saw you
give your sister a drink first, too. Yes, I would like a drink. I've
been wanting one some time, but I didn't dare get up to go after it."

"I'll get it!" cried Freddie, eager to show what a little man he was.
He made his way to the cooler without accident, and then, moving slowly,
taking hold of the seat on the way back, so as not to spill the water,
he brought the silver cup brimful to the fat lady.