He saw her, and was covered with shame; she saw him and his burden, and was touched with kindliness.

Whether or not she was also mischievously aware of Rupert's admiration, and was not altogether displeased with it, I cannot say.

In a voice that thrilled him, she said:-- "What! Rupert, are you going so soon ?" "Yes, ma'am---on account of Johnny." "But let me take him--I can keep him here to-night." It was a great temptation, but Rupert had strength to refuse, albeit with his hat pulled over his downcast eyes.
"Poor dear, how tired he looks." She approached her still fresh and pretty face close to Rupert and laid her lips on Johnny's cheek.

Then she lifted her audacious eyes to his brother, and pushing back his well-worn chip hat from his clustering curls, she kissed him squarely on the forehead.
"Good-night, dear." The boy stumbled, and then staggered blindly forward into the outer darkness.

But with a gentleman's delicacy he turned almost instantly into a side street, as if to keep this consecration of himself from vulgar eyes.