and smiled, for at that moment she could not speak; and her smile was
so sad, that Lubin came in and seated himself at her side. "Why, you
have been crying, Nelly!" he said. "What is the matter with you, dear?
Has Forgetfulness robbed you of your choicest facts, or
Procrastination--the sly rogue!--stolen your hours, or have you dropped
some nice little purchase of yours into the muddy waters of Bother?"
Nelly shook her head in reply to each question. "I have vexed Dick," she
answered at last, "by refusing to join his party at the firework
display, because he has invited Pride and Miss Folly." "I daresay that
you did quite right," observed Lubin; "though it's rather hard upon you
to have to give up the fireworks and fun. You'll hardly see anything
from your window. Come to my cottage opposite; there you will have a
good view of it all." "I would rather remain quietly here, dear Lubin;
with many thanks to you for the offer. I have no heart for amusement
this evening, and would not wish Dick to see me watching, as if by
stealth, the fireworks which I would not go openly to view." As Nelly
spoke, she could not prevent two large tears, which had been gathering
beneath her lashes, from overflowing her eyes. Lubin, lazy sluggard as
he was, yet was a kind-hearted boy, and would do a good turn for any
one, provided it gave him small trouble. "I'll stay with you, Nelly," he
said, kissing the tear from her cheek; "it will be better for me, you
know, to keep clear of Folly and Pride." Nelly squeezed his hand to
express her thanks. "There is Miss Folly approaching already," continued
Lubin. "One might know her coming were she a mile off, by the sound of
her jabbering voice." Lubin rose and went to the window to look out.
"Yes; there is Miss Folly--peacock plume, balloon dress, and all; and
she has a red cockatoo on her wrist. Black-browed Pride is behind her.
Matty and Dick are running to meet them." Nelly did not go to the
window; but she heard the voices without, which sounded distinctly
through the still evening air. "I wonder if it will ever get dark enough
for the lovely, delightful fireworks. I've been wishing all
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