LV.
THE LETTER OF THE LAW.
It was a bright and balmy afternoon in spring. Mrs. Anderson, in keeping with the practice of neighborly kindness which was in vogue in the Berkshire village, had sent a large plate of ice-cream across the street to Mrs. Van Ingen’s. The cream was quite toothsome, and little Annie Van Ingen, “six years old, going on seven,” felt when the plate had been emptied that she would like to have some more.
With tears in her eyes she confided her wish to her mother. The maternal explanation, “My darling, mama didn’t make any cream to-day,” failed to satisfy Annie.
“Well, where did you get that we had?” she asked.
“Mrs. Anderson was kind enough to send it to us,” answered the patient mother.
“I’m going over there and ask her for some more,” abruptly interposed little Annie.
“No, no, no, my precious;” said Mrs. Van Ingen, “you mustn’t think of doing such a thing. Mama doesn’t want the neighbors to know that her little Annie is a beggar.”
“Mamma Told Me Not to Ask for any More Cream.”
For reply Annie’s tears flowed fast and faster. Finally, seeing that nothing else would avail, to pacify Annie, Mrs. Van Ingen said,——
“I’ll tell you what to do, dearie; you go over to Mrs. Anderson’s and tell her that you’ve come to play awhile with her little girl. Now, be careful, don’t ask her for any cream, but I’m sure she’ll offer you some before you come back.”
The crying stopped immediately, and pretty soon Annie went tripping across the street to play with Mrs. Anderson’s little girl.
Mrs. Anderson met her at the door and kissed her affectionately.
“I wanted some more cream,” volunteered little Annie; “the cream you sent mama was very nice, and I wanted some more. Mama told me not to ask you for any more, but she said that if I would come over here and play with Bessie you would give me some more before I went back home. So, I have come over to play with Bessie.”
And, having relieved her mind of its burden, little Annie, with perfect delight and joyous innocence, ran hastily up the stairs to the nursery in search of Bessie.