I've got two boys now, and I want to do my duty by both." Before Ben had time for more than a grateful look, a tumbled head appeared at an upper window, and a sleepy voice drawled out,-- "Celia! I can't find a bit of a shoe-string, and I wish you'd come and do my neck-tie." "Lazy boy, come down here, and bring one of your black ties with you.
Shoe-strings are in the little brown bag on my bureau," called back Miss Celia; adding, with a laugh, as the tumbled head disappeared mumbling something about "bothering old bags", "Thorny has been half spoiled since he was ill.

You mustn't mind his fidgets and dawdling ways.

He'll get over them soon, and then I know you two will be good friends." Ben had his doubts about that, but resolved to do his best for her sake; so, when Master Thorny presently appeared, with a careless "How are you, Ben ?" that young person answered respectfully,--"Very well, thank you," though his nod was as condescending as his new master's; because he felt that a boy who could ride bareback and turn a double somersault in the air ought not to "knuckle under" to a fellow who had not the strength of a pussy-cat.
"Sailor's knot, please; keeps better so," said Thorny, holding up his chin to have a blue-silk scarf tied to suit him, for he was already beginning to be something of a dandy.
"You ought to wear red till you get more color, dear;" and his sister rubbed her blooming cheek against his pale one, as if to lend him some of her own roses.
"Men don't care how they look," said Thorny, squirming out of her hold, for he hated to be "cuddled" before people.
"Oh, don't they?
Here 's a vain boy who brushes his hair a dozen times a day, and quiddles over his collar till he is so tired he can hardly stand," laughed Miss Celia, with a little tweak of his ear.
"I should like to know what this is for ?" demanded Thorny, in a dignified tone, presenting a black tie.
"For my other boy.

He is going to church with me," and Miss Celia tied a second knot for this young gentleman, with a smile that seemed to brighten up even the rusty hat-band.
"Well, I like that--" began Thorny, in a tone that contradicted his words.
A look from his sister reminded him of what she had told him half an hour ago, and he stopped short, understanding now why she was "extra good to the little tramp." "So do I, for you are of no use as a driver yet, and I don't like to fasten Lita when I have my best gloves on," said Miss Celia, in a tone that rather nettled Master Thorny.
"Is Ben going to black my boots before he goes?
with a glance at the new shoes which caused them to creak uneasily.
"No; he is going to black mine, if he will be so kind.

You won't need boots for a week yet, so we won't waste any time over them.