"I can then rest my hands upon the heads of you both," he said,
smoothing the while Nina's golden curls,
"Now tell us a story, please," said Nina; and when Richard asked
what it should be, she replied,
"Oh, tell us about the years ago when you were over the sea, and
why you have never married. Maybe you have, though. You are old
enough, I reckon. Did you ever marry anybody?"
"YES, _I_ DID," returned Richard; "a little girl with hair like
yours, I think, though my eyesight then was almost gone, and I saw
nothing distinctly."
"Wha-a-at!" exclaimed Edith, at the same time asking Arthur if he
was hurt as he started suddenly,
"There it goes. It was a BEE, I guess;" and Nina pointed to an
insect flitting by, but so far from Arthur as to render a sting
from the diminutive creature impossible. Still it served as an
excuse, and blessing Nina in his heart for the suggestion, Arthur
talked rapidly of various matters, hoping in this way to change
the conversation. But Edith was not to be put off, even if Nina
were. She was too much interested to know what Richard meant, and
as soon as politeness would permit, she said to him,
"Please go on, and tell us of the girl you married.
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