"Because I hate the smell of them so," said Rob, sturdily; "and my mamma hates them too; and I found them rolling round on the floor, by our berth; and I just picked them up and threw them away. I didn't think about their being anybody's,--not until afterwards," he added; "and I'm very sorry, sir. I'll buy you some more out of my own money." Mr. March smiled at this little explanation: he saw that Rob had not really intended to do wrong. "No, no, my boy, you needn't do that," said the man; "we're going to get off before dinner time; an' we've got a bin full o' onions at home. I expect they do smell kind o' strong to folks that ain't used to 'em, but they're mighty healthy." Rob walked back to his seat somewhat relieved, but still very much ashamed. He glanced up in his mother's face. She looked mortified; still there was a twinkle in her eyes: in the bottom of her heart, she sympathized with Rob's impulse to be rid of the onions at any cost. "Oh, Rob!" she said, "how could you do such a thing? You knew they must belong to somebody." "Well, I did afterwards,--after I told Nell; but, when I picked them up, I didn't think any thing except how they smelt. It was a good riddance anyhow." The sick lady, who had to lie down all the way, was in the section next but one to Mr. March's. She had looked much amused during all this conversation, which she could not help hearing. Mrs. March noticed her pleasant smile, and thought she would like to do something for her. So she gave Nelly a nice cup of hot tea to take over to her. The lady was very grateful. "Oh!" she said, "this is the first good tea I have tasted since I left home." Then she made Nelly sit down on the bed beside her, and talked to her so sweetly that Nelly felt as if she had known her all her life; and pretty soon she told her all about Mrs. Napoleon. "Bring her here. Let me see her," said the lady. "Oh, I can't bear to have anybody see her!" said Nelly: "she looks awful." "Never mind: we'll draw the curtains, and nobody else shall see." So she called her nurse, who was sitting near; and, as soon as Nelly had climbed up into the berth, the nurse drew the curtains tight and shut them together. It seemed to Mrs. March a long time before Nelly came out. When she came she had two small parcels in her hands. They were both in nice white tissue paper, tied up with pink ribbon. Nelly looked as if she had been crying, but yet she looked happy; and the sick lady had a most beautiful smile on her face. Nelly gave one of the parcels to her mother, and said:-- "Mamma, will you please pack this in the bag? It is the Empress's clothes. Perhaps I may have another doll some day that they will fit." Then she handed the other parcel to her father, and said:-- "Please throw this out of the window, papa?" "What is it, Nell?" he said, surprised. Nelly's voice trembled a little; but she answered bravely.