"I am quiet, sir," he said, before the superintendent could reprove him.
My aunt added a word in his favor.

"Jack has promised not to frighten me; and I am sure he will keep his word.

Have you never had parents or friends to be kind to you, my poor fellow ?" she asked, turning to him again.
He looked up at her.

"Never," he said, "till you came here to see me." As he spoke, there was a flash of intelligence in the bright gratitude of his eyes.

"Ask me something else," he pleaded; "and see how quietly I can answer you." "Is it true, Jack, that you were once poisoned by accident, and nearly killed by it ?" "Yes!" "Where was it ?" "Far away in another country.