His children couldn't be liars!" "But you know I can't say any more that I've never told an untruth," said Max, coloring painfully.
"Well, you couldn't help it," Lulu said, trying to comfort him.

"I'm afraid that I might have done it myself to keep from being killed." "Hello! here comes Jim!" cried Max with a sudden change of tone, his face brightening wonderfully as a lad somewhat older in appearance than himself, and carrying a fishing-rod over his shoulder, came hurrying down a lane and joined them.
"Hello! Max," he said; "we've a splendid day for fishing, haven't we ?" Then in a whisper, "Who's this you're taking along ?" "My sister Lulu," Max answered aloud.

"She'll help us dig worms for bait, won't you, Lu ?" "Yes, if you'll let me fish a little after you've caught some." "Good-morning, Miss Lulu," said Jim, lifting his hat.
"Good-morning," she returned, giving him a careless nod.
"It's a long walk for a girl," he remarked.
"Oh," said Max, laughing, "she's half boy; ain't you, Lu ?" "I s'pose; if you mean in walking, jumping and running.

Aunt Beulah calls me a regular tomboy.

But I'd rather be that than stay cooped up in the house all the time." They had now left the town behind, and presently they turned from the highway and took a narrow path that led them deep into the woods, now in the very height of their autumnal beauty.
The sun shone brightly, but through a mellow haze; the air was deliciously pure, cool, and bracing.
The children's pulses bounded, they laughed and jested; the boys whistled and Lulu sang in a voice of birdlike melody.
"O Max," she said, "I wish Gracie was well and with us here!" "Yes, so do I," he answered; "but 'tisn't likely she can ever be strong like you and me, Lu." "Well, I'll tell her all about it and take her all the pretty things I can find.