A girl with a crown of yellow braids pulled down a curtain, and she thought her as beautiful as an angel; but of all this she said nothing at all, only walked soberly on, holding fast to her mother's hand.
When they were half-way to the shops, a door of a white house close to the road flew open and shut again with a bang, there was a scurry and grating slide on the front walk, then the gate was thrown back, and a boy dashed through with a wild whoop, just escaping contact with Mrs.Zelotes Brewster.

"You'd better be careful," said she, sharply.

"It ain't the thing for boys to come tearin' out of yards in the evenin' without seein' where they are goin'." The boy cast an abashed glance at her.

The street-lamp shone full on his face, which was round and reddened by the frosty winds, with an aimlessly grinning mouth of uncertain youth, and black eyes with a bold and cheerful outlook on the unknown.

He was only ten, but he was large for his age.