"Who are they?" asked Mr. Washburn, wiping the tears of mirth from his eyes, while Mr. Muir put the cat, now barefooted again, down on the floor, and fastened the rose into his own buttonhole. "Rob and Fred," answered Bess. "I am sorry to confess that my small cousin is such an imp." "I had no idea of it," said Mr. Washburn. "He is always so demure in the choir, and I fancied that Fred was very quiet, too." "He usually is, but Rob is in one of his wild moods to-night, and I suspect they set each other on, for it isn't like either one of them, alone. Please excuse them, for I know it was simple thoughtlessness, and they had no idea of being rude." Bess spoke with such a pretty air of earnestness that Mr. Muir would have excused her boys twice over, even if he had been annoyed by their mischief, instead of thoroughly amused. "Who are these boys?" he asked. "Is one the darker of the choir-leaders, the one with the high soprano voice? I think Mr. Washburn said he was your cousin. And who is the other? I think you ought to make them appear now." Bess hesitated for a moment. "If Mr. Washburn will tell you about Fred while I am gone, I will go to call them," she said. Rob had prudently gone home, and Fred was on the sofa, apparently asleep, but Bess knew better than that. "Come, Fred," she said seriously, as she bent over him, "I want you to come into the parlor now. Mr. Washburn and Mr. Muir have asked to see you. I am sorry my boy should have forgotten himself and been so rude to guests." "Oh, Miss Bessie," said Fred penitently, for he read from Bessie's tone that she was really displeased, "we truly didn't mean any harm, only they stayed so long that we thought perhaps they'd forgotten the time, and would hurry a little if they knew it, so as to give us a chance to have some fun. I'm so sorry!" "I don't think you did mean to be quite so ungentlemanly," answered Bess quietly. "But we will talk it over by and by. Now come with me." "Oh, no! Must I?" And the child drew back. "Yes, Fred." Frank Muir glanced up as they entered the parlor. He had been interested in his friend's account of the child, and was curious to see the imp who had caused so much embarrassment and amusement for them all. But when he caught sight of the strong, finely formed little figure, the head set so proudly on his shoulders, the refined, sensitive face that showed so plainly every thought and feeling, and the great, pleading brown eyes, as the boy came shyly into the room, his own eyes grew strangely misty, and his face was very tender and pitiful as he went forward, saying heartily,-- "So this is the small friend that has been giving us a good laugh." And, drawing the child to the sofa, he sat down by his side. "I didn't mean to be rude," said Fred slowly. "It sounded like such fun. Please excuse us."