"You bet they are. Why there's one, oh, he is so beautiful, but the poor dear is lame. He stays in his room most of the time. Day before yesterday he asked me to come up to see him, and he showed me pictures, and told me a story of a soldier--and, oh, I just know he is an angel, because he has a closet full of guns." Such a reason for being considered an angel struck the boys as so funny, that they laughed outright. Sam patted the little fellow on the head, and gave him a boy's greatest compliment: "You certainly are a jolly good fellow, Bolax." By this time the coal had been deposited in the cellar, so Bolax wanted to go away. "Oh, come in," said Sam, "and say Good-bye, but first let me wipe your face; there is just a speck of black on the end of your nose." Bo was very thankful to be made somewhat presentable and entered the parlor, taking leave of the ladies in a most dignified manner, which ill-assorted with his begrimed appearance. "You're not going to ride home on the coal cart?" said Miss Devine. "I'm not fit to get into your carriage," said Bo. "Never mind, come with me; we'll excuse you this time." "But I must say 'good-bye' to Mr. O'Donnel, and get my roll of music; it is on the seat of the cart and might get lost." Amy was ready to cry at Bo's escapade, but the young ladies and their brothers enjoyed the joke immensely. As the carriage drove away the boys called out: "Come again little coal-man; you're a regular brick." Bolax was delighted to hear this and turning to Amy, said: "Now, Miss Stuck-Up, the Carpenters like me even if I do ride with the coal man, and I know Mamma will say it don't matter if my clothes are dirty, so I keep my soul clean." "My darling little brother," said Amy, throwing her arms around Bo's neck, "forgive me if I have hurt your feelings. Your family knows how clean your soul is, but strangers only judge by outward appearances." "Dear Amy," said Miss Devine, "don't take things so to heart." Then in a lower voice, "for my part, I would not give our little flutterbudget, with his innocent mischief, for all the daintily-dressed boys in the country." When the carriage stopped at their gate, the children bid "au revoir" to Miss Devine; then she recommended Amy not to say much about Bo's adventure. Aunt Lucy was standing on the porch. Bo did not wait to be questioned, but began immediately to give an account of his day, for he had been away since luncheon. "Oh, Aunt Lucy, Mr. O'Donnel is such a kind man! he has a mouth like a frog, and I always observe that men with mouths like frogs are kind to children." "Indeed," said Aunt Lucy laughing, "I never noticed that. I have no doubt your friend, Mr. O'Donnel meant kindly in allowing you to ride with him, but he did not think of the danger there was for a stumpy little fellow, with short legs, perched so high. If the cart had lurched you might have fallen under the horses' feet and been killed. So dear child, never try that again."