Butthe coast was clear, and no one but Phebe appeared, sitting at redhead hunting bootsthe table with her head on her arms apparently asleep. Rose was justabout to wake her with a "Boo!" when she lifted her head,dried her wet eyes with her blue apron, and fell to work with aresolute face on something she was evidently much interested in. Rosecould not make out what it was, and her curiosity was greatlyexcited, for Phebewomenwaterproof bootwas writing with a sputtering pen on some bits of brown paper,apparently copying something from a little book.
"Imust know what the dear thing is about, and why she cried, and thenset her lips tight and went to work with all her might,"thoughtredwing shoes work boots Rose, forgetting all about the caramels, and, going round to thedoor, she entered the kitchen, saying pleasantly "Phebe, I wantsomething to do. Can't you let me help you about anything, or shall Ibe in the way?"
"Oh,dear no, miss; I always love to havecheapmens boot you round when things are tidy. What would you like to do?"answered Phebe, opening a drawer as if about to sweep her own affairsout of sight; but Rose stopped her, exclaiming, like a curious child"Let me see! What is it? I won't tell if you'd rather not haveDolly know."
"I'monly trying to study a bit; but I'm so stupid I don't womenswinter boots geton much," answered the girl reluctantly, permitting her littlemistress to examine the poor contrivances she was trying to workwith.
Abroken slate that had blown off the roof, an inch or two of pencil,an old almanac for a reader, several bits of brown or yellow paperironed smoothly and sewn together for a copy-book, and hikingboots for womenthe copies sundry receipts written in Aunt Plenty's neat hand. These,with a small bottle of ink and a rusty pen, made up Phebe's outfit,and it was little wonder that she did not "get on" in spiteof the patient persistence that dried the desponding tears anddroveworkboots catalong the sputtering pen with a will.
"Youmay laugh if you want to, Miss Rose, I know my things are queer, andthat's why I hide 'em; but I don't mind since you've found me out,and I ain't a bit ashamed except of being so backward at my age,"said Phebe humbly, though her cheeks redwing boot coupons grewredder as she washed out some crooked capitals with a tear or two notyet dried upon the slate.
"Laughat you! I feel more like crying to think what a selfish girl I am, tohave loads of books and things and never remember to give you some.Why didn't theboot boys youcome and ask me, and not go struggling along alone in this way? Itwas very wrong of you, Phebe, and I'll never forgive you if you do soagain," answered Rose, with one hand on Phebe's shoulder, whilethe other gently turned the leaves of the poor little copy-book.
"Ididn't like to ask for anything more when you are steeltoe work boot sogood to me all the time, miss, dear," began Phebe, looking upwith grateful eyes.
"Oyou proud thing! just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and I had thebest of it. Now, see here, I've got a plan and you mustn't say no, orI shall scold. I want something to do, and I'm workbootsfor womengoing to teach you all I know; it won't take long," and Roselaughed as she put her arm around Phebe's neck, and patted the smoothdark head with the kind little hand that so loved to give.
